Water Damage Repair in Denville Is Efficient With SERVPRO’s Help

5/25/2023 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657 for assistance from a professional remediation company.

What to Expect from Water Damage Repair in Denville

It is essential to call a restoration firm quickly after a leak. Professionals can dry water relatively fast, about 24 to 48 hours after the incident. It can take many days to dry a home with severe damage. 

SERVPRO® can perform water damage repair in your Denville residence correctly the first time. Poor cleanup after a water disaster can cause issues like mold growth and contamination concerns. Ceilings, walls, and floors can deteriorate because of water damage. Our team can perform water damage restoration by taking these steps: 

• Conducting an inspection
• Extracting standing water
• Drying and dehumidifying affected areas
• Cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces
• Repairing and reconstructing damaged materials 

Conducting An Inspection

Our SERVPRO technicians can conduct a water damage assessment to identify the water source and water damage class. By identifying the water damage, we can determine the drying and dehumidification required. 

Extracting Standing Water 

Our SERVPRO team can remove stagnant water through extraction. We can use a squeegee wand to extract water from hard surface flooring and a carpet wand to extract water from carpets. Our team can also use infrared cameras or moisture meters to uncover hidden pockets of saturation underneath floorboards or behind walls. 

Drying And Dehumidifying Affected Areas

We can use equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers to dry affected areas. 

Cleaning And Sanitizing All Surfaces

Microbes can grow in water that has pooled for several hours. Our SERVPRO technicians can eliminate microbes by using antimicrobial products. We can also use equipment like air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums during sanitization. HEPA vacuums are specialized vacuum cleaners that can capture large amounts of tiny particles from surfaces and keep them contained for later disposal. 

Repairing and Reconstructing Damaged Materials 

It may be necessary to remove unsalvageable parts like medium to low-density trim boards, carpet padding, and ruined drywall. Our team has expertise in reconstruction and can return your home to preloss condition.

When you have water damage, you can count on SERVPRO of North Morris County to repair it efficiently. Contact us at any time at (973) 983-5657.

The Causes of Fire Damage Odors in Denville Properties

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

Denville homeowners trust SERVPRO for comprehensive fire and smoke damage cleanup and restoration, "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Remediates Denville Homes with 24/7 Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup

Denville properties can deal with home fire damage at the most inopportune times because, unfortunately, disasters do not occur on a convenient schedule. Even after cleaning up debris and soot, unpleasant odors can be left behind by burnt residues, proteins, and other factors. Fortunately, restoration professionals are available 24 hours a day to address soils and odors.

Denville SERVPRO fire damage remediation specialists typically respond to calls within hours to inspect properties and formulate an actionable and comprehensive restoration plan. This plan includes property inspection and pack-outs if necessary and mitigation, odor control, and rebuilding services following the property owner’s insurance coverage. 

How Soot and Smoke Cause Fire Damage Odors

Fire damage odors primarily stem from smoke particles, also known as soot, settling on surfaces. These particles come from burnt materials and can spread through the air, not unlike mold or dust. Soot residues can also attract dirt, so SERVPRO technicians always inspect HVAC systems after a fire, even if it does not require servicing. 

Smoke particles and fire odors can come from a wide array of sources, such as:

• Wood, paper, and similarly dry organic materials often leave dry easy-to-remove soils
• Wood finishes, inks, dyes, stains, and adhesives can complicate this when they are burnt
• Rubbers, oils, and plastics, including those used in electrical wiring and appliances, can impart an unpleasant odor and greasy soils that smear with traditional cleaning methods
• Homeowners should be cautious to avoid areas where fire has made contact with items that operate on alkaline or lithium-ion batteries
• Protein residues, which typically come from burnt poultry, red meat, and fish, are especially pungent without specialized cleaners and can easily spread odors via a greasy, nearly-invisible film

When homeowners feel overwhelmed by the prospect of handling these and other fire damage concerns, they can count on SERVPRO  techs to remove these on their behalf quickly and thoroughly. 

SERVPRO’s Fire and Smoke Odor Control and Remediation

SERVPRO restoration strategies easily mitigate smoke damage, soot deposits, and water damage from fire suppression.

• If water or fire extinguisher residue is present, technicians typically address this first to prevent microbial growth. Fire soils are easier to remove from dry surfaces than wet ones
• Residue cleaning typically proceeds from lightest to heaviest, from the highest point of damage to the lowest. Gentle cleaning with specialized dry cleaning sponges is often sufficient for light, dry soils, which can then be collected with a HEPA-filter vacuum or air scrubber
• SERVPRO technicians can achieve widespread odor control with such tools as the thermal or “hot” fogger, which emits a solvent-based smoke that clings to surfaces as smoke particles do 
• Heavy-duty cleaning options are available to address char, including ultrasonic immersion cleaning for delicate objects, abrasion blasting to address charring, and enzyme digesters that convert filmy protein soils to a water-soluble condition free of odors

SERVPRO rebuilding services, such as installing new drywall and carpet, repainting, and sealing stained wood, can further lessen fire odors in a home until they are nonexistent and the property is comfortable and clean. Our team coordinates with property owners and insurance adjusters throughout the restoration process to keep the claims filing process smooth and expedient.

Homeowners can call (973) 983-5657 to receive assistance from SERVPRO of North Morris County, which leaves properties looking and feeling “Like it never even happened.”

The Effectiveness of Water Damage Extraction for Denville Homes

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO mitigates water damage to Denville homes with fast extraction using advanced equipment.

SERVPRO Water Cleanup Specialists Use Powerful Extraction Tools for Denville Homes

Whether it occurs in Denville or elsewhere, residential water damage can happen anywhere, at any time. Homeowners can take steps to reduce or even prevent damage before it occurs. Still, they may not have access to the tools necessary to eliminate it when it does happen.

When Denville water damage incidents occur, SERVPRO professionals are ready to respond with 24-hour remediation services. These thoroughly-trained techs can use commercial-grade tools to eliminate residues, stains, and odors that stem from excess moisture.

How Water Damage Extraction Works

Water damage extraction is one of the cornerstones of successful home restoration and serves a multitude of purposes, such as:

• Removing standing water from a property
• Greatly accelerating structural drying, which would take hundreds of times longer without extraction
• Sanitizing with hot water and EPA-registered antimicrobials to lessen the presence of contaminants
• Minimizing potential damage to subfloors, wall studs, ceiling joists, or home foundations

Extraction begins with removing standing water and debris. Wet/dry vacuums, mops, and sump pumps, among other tools, can be used for this purpose. However, many disasters may not necessitate this degree of moisture removal. Portable or truck-mounted extractors are then deployed to remediate excess water. Both extractors feature three systems: a vacuum component, a pump, and a heating system. For most surfaces, only a vacuum is necessary. The other two components are primarily used on carpeting and upholstery. 

DIY extraction is possible to some degree. That said, homeowners may not have access to tools like commercial-grade hot water extractors to make the job faster, easier, and safer. SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians perform several rounds of extraction to remove as much excess water as possible before deploying drying equipment. 

Water Remediation, the SERVPRO Way

SERVPRO water cleanup can act 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, 

including holidays and weekends, to minimize homeowners’ repair and replacement necessities. The process entails the following:

• Inspecting water damage with sensors, meters, and imaging tools that determine surface-level humidity and moisture content beneath surfaces. These devices can be calibrated for specific surfaces with the relative humidity and moisture levels of dry surfaces in the home in mind
• Extracting excess moisture with a combination of extractors, vacuums, pumps, and manual cleaning to partially sanitize and prepare the space for drying
• Remediating potential microbial growth and odor-causing bacteria from the property with OSHA-approved biocide solutions, including a plethora of proprietary SERVPRO solutions designed to target moisture-related contaminants
• Drying remaining moisture to a pre-disaster condition with air movement and dehumidification equipment. Air movers are positioned between 50 and 300 square feet apart, depending on the extent of the damage. Some incidents may only require one air mover and dehumidifier to restore affected materials. The direction and volume of airflow help funnel humid air toward the dehumidifier, which isolates moisture by collecting condensation and releasing warm, dry air
• Odor control measures like scented granules and fogging deodorizers may be dispensed to address varying degrees of moisture-related odors

Restoration technicians can also perform structural repairs when necessary and rebuilding services, like drywall installation and wall painting, that restore an affected property as completely as possible after mitigation.

SERVPRO of North Morris County can prove that We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster for property owners who call (973) 983-5657.

How Mold Damage Travels Through Denville Homes

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help you when you find mold damage in your Denville home. Call us today for assistance.

SERVPRO Mold Damage Remediation Restores Denville Properties with 24-Hour Service

Mold damage is caused by an excess of microbes being allowed to proliferate inside a Denville residence. Whether this spread is induced by water damage in a wall cavity, a roof leak, or another source, spores can quickly reduce indoor air quality and create costly structural and property damage for home occupants.

Mold damage remediation technicians in Denville are available to help through SERVPRO. Highly-trained restoration professionals can return an impacted residence to a pre-contamination state with commercial-grade tools. These pieces of equipment perform to Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards for home microbial cleanup.

How Mold Travels Through a Property

The spread of mold stems from its reproduction process, which releases tiny spores. These lightweight spores travel through the air until they cling to or settle on surfaces. Because microbes are so small and can come from any indoor or outdoor location, it is impossible to guarantee total mold removal on a property. 

Microbes can cling to:

• Clothing
• Bags and packages
• Carpeting
• Skin
• Furniture

Tiny spores can come in from outside through HVAC systems and open windows or doorways. Mold can move again through contact with other surfaces or motions that allow it to rise and float in the air to cling to something else.

While homeowners cannot ensure a completely mold-free home, they can take measures to minimize mold damage risk on their property. These practices include inspecting plumbing and fixtures, keeping roofing in good shape, having HVAC serviced regularly, and sticking to a regular cleaning schedule that keeps dirt and microbes to a minimum.

SERVPRO's 24-hour Restoration Services Mitigate Microbes with Minimal Downtime

Mold remediation specialists can visit a Denville home in as little as a few hours after a client's initial call to inspect the extent of mold damage. This data collection and consultation process helps technicians formulate a restoration plan tailored to homeowners' needs and belongings.

SERVPRO's emergency-response microbial cleanup can include:

• Techs donning commercial-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitizing with EPA-registered biocides
• Inspection tools that detect water damage that could be causing or contributing to mold growth. Technologies like moisture sensors and meters can evaluate surface and internal moisture levels. Imaging devices like thermal imaging cameras can detect hard-to-reach moisture behind structural materials like drywall
• Powerful HEPA-filter air scrubbers and vacuums create an environment that limits airborne spore travel and collects these spores for disposal, even if they are as small as 0.3 microns
• SERVPRO drying equipment, including air movement units and dehumidifiers, can remove moisture from structures and contents, including drywall, carpeting, and upholstery
• Deodorizers eradicate moisture and mold-related odors on a particle level by binding with odor-causing microbes and altering or eliminating them

All of these services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including all weekends and holidays. Regardless of when a disaster occurs, SERVPRO techs can coordinate with homeowners and insurers to perform restoration in a timely fashion that accommodates homeowners' needs and schedules.

In cases of more extensive mold damage, technicians can perform a "pack-out," which entails moving belongings to an approved SERVPRO warehouse. This service allows for restoration in a separate space while keeping belongings accessible when homeowners need them most. However, in-place cleaning, drying, and repair are feasible in many cases.

SERVPRO of North Morris County can be reached at (973) 983-5657 when homeowners need "Like it never even happened" quality cleanup after a disaster.

Stormwater Damage Repair in Denville is Guaranteed by Professionals

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

We aim to restore your property as quickly as possible, “Like It Never Even Happened.”

Count on SERVPRO for Stormwater Damage Repair in Denville

Stormwater originates from precipitation like heavy rain or meltwater from snow and hail. It carries dangerous wastes like sewage effluents and microorganisms that cause mold and bacteria growth. It is vital to contact service providers immediately after the stormwater subsides. Thorough communication is one of the crucial steps in stormwater damage restoration at your residence. 

You need to communicate to the service providers with insights on the type and size of the damage, providing enough information so you can get the most appropriate response. You should not worry since SERVPRO has trained and competent stormwater damage repair specialists in Denville to help you through this tight spot. Some of the qualities that make us the right choice for your situation include the following:

• Our competent specialists.
• The flexibility of our restoration process to cover any situation.
• Always being prepared.
• State-of-the-art restoration equipment.

Standing water causes the accumulation of excess water in the internal environment, which makes its extraction a point of focus for SERVPRO. Our team can remove all the stormwater immediately and efficiently and bring down the humidity to normal levels. We have industrial-grade extraction pumps that are capable of moving large volumes of water in a short time. We have wet-dry vacuum driers that are efficient in sucking out excess water. We also allow ventilation of the area, which helps the drying process become more efficient.

Dehumidifiers come in handy for our SERVPRO team at this step since they speed up the process. Air movers, floor fans, and dehumidifiers help us dry the damp structures and contents. Our team uses refrigerant dehumidifiers at the beginning of a job when the humidity in the house is high. If porous materials are dry but structural materials are still damp, our SERVPRO technicians use desiccant dehumidifiers to dry them. 

Drying your home shortly after storm water damage significantly limits the possible destruction. Don’t hesitate to contact SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657 for repairs. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

SERVPRO Provides Fire Damage Restoration and Odor Removal in Denville

2/14/2023 (Permalink)

With advanced equipment, SERVPRO restores property to pre-damaged conditions, "Like it never even happened."

Cleaning Residues – An Important Part of Fire Damage Restoration in Denville Homes

Fire damage restoration of Denville homes to their preloss condition involves many activities. Fast action and response can significantly affect the amount of secondary damage caused by water, fire retardant elements, and smoke odors throughout the home.

SERVPRO provides fire damage restoration to residents' homes in Denville and surrounding areas. Once the fire department leaves the scene, our experts quickly get to work following a standard industry plan for managing the aftermath of a fire. The activities we follow include:

• Assessment of the damage, type of fire, and types of items burned in the fire
• Emergency board-up of broken windows and doors
• Removal of fire damage debris that cannot be restored, water, and chemicals to help control odors
• Demolition of fire-damaged structures – cabinets, flooring, and wall materials as needed
• Cleaning smoke residues
• Restoration and repair to return your home to pre- damaged condition

Many items can be cleaned and restored. They may be undamaged by fire but have been exposed to smoke odors and residues. Experience has proven that it is less expensive for the homeowner if the contents are cleaned properly and returned to their original condition than replacing them.

SERVPRO applies these cleaning principles when restoring items exposed to smoke residues:

• Residues are located throughout the home
• Identification of the type of residue – fluffy, oily, water, and non-water soluble
• Surface type the smoke residues are on – porous, fabric, semi-porous
• Method of the capture of residues – vacuum, wipe, or a cleaning solution
• Removal of residues from top to bottom and disposal of residues and cleaning materials

SERVPRO technicians work closely with the homeowner and their insurance adjuster to discuss cleaning approaches and identify high-value items from a monetary or personal perspective that require special attention.

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County for fire damage restoration services. We provide service to Denville and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (973) 983-5657.

Mold Remediation in Denville Demands Help From Experts

1/17/2023 (Permalink)

For any type of fire damage in your property you can count on SERVPRO to help.

SERVPRO Provides Mold Remediation in Denville Homes

Mold is ugly in your home and is dangerous to its structural integrity if not checked. Some signs of a mold infestation might include musty smells, rust, water damage, leaks, warped materials, and visible mold. By the time it is visible, there is a high probability that it has spread beyond what you can contain. 

The only logical step now is contacting mold remediation service providers to avoid making an even bigger mess. You need not worry since SERVPRO can perform Mold remediation in your Denville home. We can deal with whatever situation you might be in the middle of. 

Our SERVPRO team’s time to complete the process might vary from 1 to 5 days. That depends on how severe the infestation is, the length of time it has stayed there, the type of contaminated material, and the place mold has infested. The two most important rules and regulations we follow in this process are the EPA Mold Remediation Guidelines and the IICRC 520 Mold Remediation Standard.

SERVPRO is keen on the containment of the mold to prevent it from spreading into uncontaminated areas. Containment also helps us in ensuring a level of protection for the occupants. In this process, we avoid any introduction of airflow since the uncontained mold spores can be airborne, making it easier for them to spread. Our containment usually involves:

• Installation of plastic sheeting.
• Establishment of negative air pressure.
• Sealing the HVAC systems to prevent contamination of the duct system.
• Establishment of decontamination and “clean rooms” for decontaminated materials and equipment being used.

To ensure mold does not grow back up a short while after we leave, SERVPRO dries any structures and contents affected to normal moisture conditions using a combination of dehumidifiers and air movers and sanitizes everything to kill the remaining spores.

High-quality services in your Denville home require contacting a reputable mold remediation service provider. Contact SERVPRO of North Morris County for help at (973) 983-5657. We can make the infestation seem “Like it never even happened.”

When Your Denville Home has Leaks, Call for Water Damage Repair

12/25/2022 (Permalink)

When a water pipe break or other issue causes a water damage situation in your home, it’s time to bring in the professionals. We are standing by 24/7.

Scalable & Efficient Water Damage Repair Services

SERVPRO’s crews have extensive experience in water damage repair and can restore your home quickly. Your Denville residence contains many different water lines. While these all are under the same pressure, larger pipes can release significantly more if a break ever happens.

Other water sources run through your home’s kitchen and bathroom walls in Denville, and water damage repair can always fix any problems caused by leaks. Smaller water lines can still release much-unwanted water into your living space. You might find these supplying water to your fridge’s ice maker. A loose connection between a feed line and your washing machine can also release more water than you might realize.

Any amount of water can cause materials within your home to deteriorate. Some residential components that can sustain water damage are:

• Flooring materials,
• Baseboards and moldings, and
• Electrical systems.

Your home’s floors are often the place most affected by excess moisture. Because water conforms to everything, it can travel several yards away from the origination point. We use moisture detection devices to learn precisely where to direct our attention. With water leaks, we can clean and dry carpeting and treat padding, so replacing these investments becomes unnecessary. Wood flooring requires strict drying protocols, so over-drying never occurs.

Corners often have baseboards or other moldings where the floors meet the wall. These can swell and curve when exposed to moisture. Paint can also peel and flake. Getting these dried out slowly protects them from splitting. We can repaint, if needed, to preserve their look and reinstall them once they are completely dry and free of moisture.

The metals inherent in any electrical system can develop deposits from minerals in the water and regular corrosion and rust. Water can also conduct electricity, making the risk of getting shocked or a fire breaking out much greater than normal.

SERVPRO of North Morris County understands these and other issues. Call us at (973) 983-5657 for water damage repair needs. We’ll make it all “Like it never even happened.”

Finding Commercial Water Damage Repair Services in Denville Is Simple

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

If you find yourself in need of assistance with water damage remediation, call SERVPRO.

Call SERVPRO to Help Restore Your Business After Water Damage

Imagine your professional property in Denville, where inventory, equipment, and staff coexist daily to make your business successful. Now picture it after something as simple as a sprinkler malfunction allows water to seep into carpets, soak walls and compromise your furniture. The picture may seem grim, but with the right help, you can mitigate your loss and restore the space with minimal disruption. The first step on the road to remediation is to call a reputable water remediation company and let the experts take charge.

In Denville, SERVPRO handles your water damage professionally and in your best interest. Upon arrival, a thorough inspection tells us how far the damage spread and where the greatest vulnerabilities lie. As we gather information with advanced monitoring and imaging equipment, including hygrometers and infrared technology, we develop an action plan to suit your needs and also minimize the impact of the incident on your bottom line.

Considering the benefits of a certified water restoration technician team, consider the risks of embarking upon the cleanup process without professional advice. Some of the most common adverse effects you might encounter include the following-

• As a result, failure to remove water thoroughly and create a suitable environment for mold growth.

• Leaving items such as porous textiles and carpets in the space rather than disposing of them to thwart the risk of secondary damage.

• Failing to use the appropriate cleaning solution suitable for each specific surface

At SERVPRO, we also help handle water damage repairs in commercial settings by providing services such as controlled demolition, move-out and specialized drying. Our wraparound approach sets the stage for an efficient and successful remediation process.

SERVPRO of North Morris County is here to help. Call us at (973) 983-5657 now.

SERVPRO Can Perform Storm Flood Damage Restoration in Your Denville Home

9/17/2022 (Permalink)

Safe flood removal for your Denville property needed? Call SERVPRO to make it "Like it never even happened."

Storm Flood Damage in Denville Calls for Professionals

Very few things can make a homeowner feel as helpless as when faced with the risk of an external flood hitting them and the potential damages it may leave behind. To ensure your house is safe and minimize the damages, you must contact flood restoration specialists like SERVPRO.

Flood water is “black water” or category three water, which usually has contaminants, confirming the need for professionals to handle the restoration process. To minimize overall damage, we can perform storm flood damage repair in your Denville home as quickly as possible. SERVPRO is always ready to provide homeowners with the necessary restoration services should they find themselves in such a situation.

We have a rich documentation process that makes it easier for you to make claims to your insurance provider. A full restoration of your property might take multiple pathways depending on the situation, but SERVPRO’s overall process involves such steps as:

• Assessing the damages caused.
• Pumping the water left behind.
• Safe removal and disposal of any irreparably ruined contents and furnishings.
• Cleaning and decontaminating the house to remove potential chemical, biological and environmental contaminants left behind.
• Checking the building to identify structural damages that might cause hazards at the moment or in the future.
• Complete drying and dehumidification to ensure no water residues are left behind to avoid mold infestation.

Smells are among the major problems that flood damage leaves behind. At SERVPRO, we use different deodorizing techniques, products, and equipment to deal with foul odors. Our team can use dry fogging to deodorize the house since it does not pose the risk of moisture damage that wet fogging can cause. The deodorants we use in this situation are usually solvent-based. They pass through a heated space where they vaporize into small particles that can fight the odors even in the most hidden places.

If you want a fast and efficient flood damage restoration process, contact SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Handling Fire Damage Restoration in Denville

8/13/2022 (Permalink)

If you find yourself in need of assistance with fire damage remediation, call SERVPRO at (973) 983-5657.

SERVPRO Helps with Fire Restorations in Denville

The results can be devastating whenever a fire breaks out on your property. Even a fire that starts small can quickly grow and consume several of your contents and building materials if not extinguished immediately. Since most residential buildings get made with a large majority of wooden supplies, a house can get ruined in just a few minutes.

During some projects that entail fire damage restoration in Denville, rebuilding your home due to burnt structural components can often become a grueling process. In some situations, our SERVPRO technicians have to deal with the task of removing drywall, wall studs, or roof trusses. As a general rule, if your wooden structural components have a quarter-inch or less charring on the surface, we can take steps to sand or sandblast the burnt material from the surface. But, if the charred material penetrates deeper than a quarter-inch, we must remove and replace the affected building materials or contents. 

For example, if only sections of your wall or roof got severely burnt, we can take areas of the charred materials out by cutting them at the part where they get affected. We can then schedule licensed carpenters to rebuild your structure to meet the building code according to New Jersey state law. However, structural issues usually are not the only type of damage caused by a structural blaze.

Other things we can do to restore your home to its pre-damaged state, "Like it never even happened."

• Fire Debris Cleanup
• Smoke Remediation
• Fire & Water Damage Restorations
• Structural Deodorization
• Content Cleaning

Anytime a small blaze becomes very destructive, call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657. 

Conducting Water Damage Repair in Rockaway

8/13/2022 (Permalink)

Don’t let your home be a victim of water damage, SERVPRO of North Morris County is only a call away.

SERVPRO Aids with Rockaway Water Restorations

Everyone has most likely been in a situation where their toilet has plugged up and won't flush at some point in their life. In many of these scenarios, the issue can be easily fixed by using a plunger and pulling up the debris that is restricting water flow. In other cases, the water can back up where it flows out of your toilet. Or, if your sewage line is blocked further down the line, water could come up and out another drain such as your bath or shower. 

Whenever our SERVPRO technicians work on water damage repair in Rockaway, the first thing we do is find out where the moisture entered your home. Once we locate the source, we then determine if the source is clean water or if there is a chance of contamination. If water came from a source like your kitchen sink faucet, it would be clean water and classified as category one damage. If the moisture leaked from your washing machine's drain, it could contain contaminants, and we treat it as a category two scenario. But, if your toilet or sewage line backs up, the likelihood of contamination is high, and the project gets labeled as category three. 

When dealing with sewage or black water, we take extra precautions to protect our crew, like ensuring they get equipped with the proper personal protection equipment (PPE). We can also take measures to ensure the contamination doesn't spread, like building containment chambers and using air scrubbers. 

Actions we can take as a part of the restoration process:

• Water Extraction Services
• Decontamination of Contents and Building Materials
• Sewage Cleanup
• Black Mold Inspections

Any time sewage water backs up and contacts any of your contents or building materials, call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657.

Planning a Mold Remediation Project in Denville

8/13/2022 (Permalink)

Call your local professionals at SERVPRO of North Morris County to ensure your home is dry and sanitary.

SERVPRO Conducts Mold Restorations in Denville

Anyone who has seen black mold knows that it can start as just a small discoloration of one of your building materials or contents and then quickly turn into a significant issue. A fungus needs moisture, an organic food source (like water or paper), and about 48 hours to start to grow. Once fungi develop, they form structures called hyphae that grow three-dimensionally. Then, the contamination can release seed-like spores that can travel through the air until they find another area to contaminate. 

When our SERVPRO team conducts mold remediation in Denville, we focus on removing the contamination and preventing it from spreading to previously unaffected sections of your home. First, we find out where the moisture is coming from that caused the fungi to develop in the first place. Once we ensure no more water leaks in the affected area, we can begin our restoration procedures. 

Before we conduct any work, our highly trained team can seal off the area with plastic by building a containment chamber. We can then connect an air scrubber to the contained area to create negative air pressure inside it to remove spores and other contaminants from the air. Once the affected region is sealed, we can then take steps to remove your affected building materials or contents if we determine they cannot be saved by sanding or sandblasting the contamination from the surface. We can then dry out and seal the affected structural components like your wall studs or roof trusses with a specialized sealant paint such as Kilz. 

Ways we can help you when you find mold in your house:

• Water Extraction Services
• Applied Structural Drying (ASD)
• Attic Mold Restorations
• Bathroom Mold Remediation
• Black Mold Inspections

If you ever notice even a small section of your home contains black mold, call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657. 

Types of Needed Deodorants in Denville Office Fire Restoration

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage restoration in Denville need the help of SERVPRO. Our team of professionals are ready 24/7 365 days a year.

Fire Restoration Requires Odor Removal

Fires can occur from multiple sources, making these disasters impossible to predict and destructive to the building. Even with the swift cleanup of the structure, SERVPRO professionals will still need to address and manage offensive malodors created by combustion. Neutralization of harsh smells includes:

• Open-Air Smells
• Trapped Odors
• HVAC System
• Imaginary Malodors

General Deodorization Efforts

Open-air malodors are the most recognizable during fire restoration in Denville offices. Some surface cleaning strategies can help counteract the severity of these smells, but it is often pairing products distributed through wet fogging or oxidation that has the most direct neutralization ability. Vaporous distribution of deodorants can also aid in managing trapped smells in porous materials like drywall and short-pile carpeting.

Cleaning Impacted Systems

The HVAC system can harbor harsh malodors until it gets appropriately cleaned. Because this system was likely operational when the fire occurred, soot and smoke solids are pulled through the ductwork. Until our NADCA-trained professionals' clean air ducts and the HVAC system, these smells can persist.

The Smell That Is Not There

One of the more challenging loss effects to remove from a fire-damaged office building is the odor that is not there. Imaginary odors are a frequent condition to experience with property owners and employees of a damaged space. Seeing the damage can create a continuation of the smoke smell you once associated in the room. Combatting these circumstances typically requires masking agents to infuse a pleasant aroma to overcome the imaginary smell people experience.

Odors can be a substantial hurdle in fire restoration, so it requires several products and approaches to overcome. Many look to the experience and knowledge of our SERVPRO of North Morris County team to help neutralize this final obstacle to get your office running normally. Give us a call today at (973) 983-5657.

Keeping Your Denville Office Going During Mold Removal

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage remediation services for your Denville business should call SERVPRO. Our technicians have the training and experience for all phases.

We Contain Mold Removal Actions

Understanding that many businesses do not reopen after disasters, it is important to ensure that you have the right personnel and experience to resolve mold damage and its effects on the office. SERVPRO professionals can overcome mold and prevent it from spreading with containment measures like:

• Physical barriers
• Negative pressure machines
• Air filtration

Erecting Containment Barriers

The best way to keep the rest of the building safe during mold removal in Denville offices is by constructing physical barriers. Temporary walls are created with polyethylene sheeting and wood seal in mold spores and prevent migration. It is also important to cover returns and vents of the HVAC system and any other openings.

How Does Negative Pressure Work?

Air moves from high to lower pressure, creating a workspace with negative pressure prevents cross-contamination into the nearby work areas of your office while remediation is underway. An intricate ventilation system creates this condition.

HEPA Air Filtration

HEPA filters often work with a membrane trapping particulates and microbes as small as 0.3 microns. We can dramatically reduce spore activity by running these filtration devices in the work areas. HEPA 500 air scrubbers are small and portable units convenient for these needs.

Monitoring Progress and Migration

Throughout the cleanup and restoration, continual monitoring will be necessary to ensure that active spores are not breaking the containment and seeking new hosting materials in the running areas of your office building. Air sampling could help, but moisture monitoring can show what areas are potentially targeted in the building.

You can appreciate the importance of keeping up production even with remediation or restoration services underway. While things might not operate fully as they did during this time, there are steps SERVPRO of North Morris County can take to keep you open if possible. Give us a call at (973) 983-5657.

The Hazards of Flood Damage in Denville Properties

7/19/2022 (Permalink)

Flood damage restoration for your Denville home needs the attention of SERVPRO. We use state of the art equipment for all jobs.

Flood Damage Can Destroy Homes

From rising creeks and streams around Denville to natural disasters that overwhelm the city with severe weather conditions, flooding has been a part of many homeowners' lives. We are a trusted name to help with post-flood recovery.

Structural Compromise Concerns

Flood damage to Denville homes can impact the structure the most. From the penetration point to the degradation of exposed building materials, we must complete widespread controlled demolition to help.

Safety Hazards After Flooding

The safety of our technicians and the occupants of the house is a priority of our SERVPRO team, so we work fast to identify hazards and avoid threatening situations. After flooding, there are a few common safety hazards that could exist:

• Shock Hazards – In some scenarios, standing water can pool around outlets or other electrical pathways to charge the water.
• Debris – Solids in the water and particulates carried in with the flood can present risks to the health and wellbeing of those exposed.
• Infestation – Intruding floodwater can carry insects and animals into the house that SERVPRO must remove to restore the property.

Standing Water with Solids

Water removal services can be a priority for arriving technicians, but flooding is an obstacle in many cases. Solids and debris in the water cannot be managed by all of the extraction units in our inventory. Instead, we rely on trash pumps and vacuums to remove these pools.

The Possibility of Contamination

With any flooding, contamination can only sometimes get ruled out entirely. Instead, most scenarios require water exposure and impacted materials to be treated as a blackwater event like a sewage backup. Contaminated materials must get handled carefully and disposed of, meeting strict guidelines.

Your home can be severely damaged by flooding and water intrusion. As leading flood restoration experts, SERVPRO of North Morris County works to provide rapid mitigation strategies to overcome the hazards of flooding. Call us now at (973) 983-5657.

Types of Water Damage Repair for Denville Homes

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

Whether it’s a broken pipe or another type of water damage, SERVPRO is here to help. Contact us 24/7 for professional remediation services.

SERVPRO Does Water Damage Repair from the Start

With the destructive capacity of water emergencies like burst pipes or flooding, many situations require repairs and reconstruction. Understanding how our experienced professionals can help achieve these restoration goals is important in the decision to trust SERVPRO with post-disaster recovery.

Mitigative Repairs

Water damage repairs for Denville homes often begin as soon as our SERVPRO restorers first arrive. Multiple types of corrective measures can protect the property and prevent worse damage. Some of the common mitigative repairs for households include:

• Controlled Demolition - This recovery phase involves removing compromised portions of building materials per water exposure and the element's physical condition. Controlled demolition can also provide access to damaged areas of the property, such as structural cavities. 
• Board Up Services - Post-water damage conditions can have exterior wall systems and structural elements compromised and vulnerable. Board-up services stop intruding water and protect the property from greater possible damages. 
• Plumbing Repairs - leaks and burst pipes are not uncommon, but the main water service to a household cannot remain unrepaired. Early action gets taken to restore this utility. 

Flood Cutting

Another avenue of water damage repairs is creating and ultimately replacing flood cuts. This is a less-invasive method of accessing wet structural cavities without substantial demolition.

Reconstruction and Build Back

As full-service contractors, we waste no time after the restoration completes to begin reinstalling missing building materials. Seamlessly transitioning to build-back services saves customers time and money over pursuing and vetting a secondary contractor. SERVPRO is here to help. 

Even with the hundreds of different ways water damage could impact a home or business, damage repairs are often necessary. Many look to the experience and prompt response of our SERVPRO of North Morris County to get this process started beginning as soon as we arrive. Call us today at (973) 983-5657.

Fire Restoration Inspections for Rockaway Homes and Businesses

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage needs to be handled quickly and effectively. Team SERVPRO is available anytime and has certified technicians who are ready to help.

Inspections Occur Before Fire Restoration Services

Fire and its effect on a property vary greatly from one site to the next. Careful damage assessment should always be conducted by experienced professionals to meet the needs of insurance providers approving a damage claim and to get restoration started quickly.

Creating a Job Scope and Estimate

To get fire restoration underway in your Rockaway home, responding technicians must have an idea of the work and the expected timeline to appropriately manage all the moving parts of the cleanup. Production management of our SERVPRO team conducts detailed damage assessments to create thorough estimations and restoration plans that focus the efforts of the fire damage technicians for:

• Surface cleaning
• Deodorization
• Debris removal
• Structural drying

Inspecting the Structure

Fires can be highly destructive to the structural integrity of your home. Building materials must be inspected to ensure they do not require removal and replacement. Weakened structural elements can collapse or fail, which is a hazard for the home.

Evaluating Damaged Contents

It is important to evaluate the condition of contents in the property as well. Personal belongings can be in the damage path, so at-risk objects are moved to a safer structure area when feasible. If damage has already occurred, on-site and off-site cleaning is needed. The inspection process catalogs an item's current condition to choose one of these actions.

Full-Service Restoration Solutions

We can begin cleaning and restoration once we have the appropriate information about a fire-damaged property. Post-fire recovery combines surface cleaning, loss mitigation, content recovery, and build-back services. We are a full-service recovery provider with FSRT-Certified technicians and a general contractor license.

Inspections play an important role in allowing our SERVPRO of North Morris County team to understand the work's scope and the condition of affected building materials. We provide a fast response to damaged properties to get this evaluation and assessment started to ensure the right tools and personnel reach the site quickly. Call now at (973) 983-5657.

The Beginning of Water Damage Repair in Denville Offices

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the equipment and professionals to help your office with water damage repair. Contact us 24/7 for water removal services.

Water Damage Repair Means Controlled Demolition

Offices can be quickly shut down by water, as operation often relies on electronics and the full availability of the space. We prioritize the repairs needed to get you working again.

What is Controlled Demolition?

Water damage repairs for Denville office buildings typically begin with demolition. After disasters, we must remove compromised portions of building materials before repairs can be feasible or possible. Several types of installed elements can be impacted in your office, including:

• Carpeted Flooring - short pile carpeting is a standard installation for flooring in the main areas of an office. Without padding underneath, this thin carpet layer quickly becomes saturated by standing water and often requires removal.
• Drywall - this is one of the most porous building materials used in modern construction, so it quickly becomes overwhelmed by moisture and water exposure. After a brief time, bloating and swelling require sheetrock to be removed, at least in portions.

Is the Rest Dry Enough?

SERVPRO should evaluate the rest of the exposed structure for dampness and moisture concerns. Persistent water damage that goes unresolved can lead to mold development and other structural integrity issues. We use several sensors, detection devices, and thermal imagery to determine where moisture has migrated to and the appropriate response from our technicians to resolve these caches of water where found.

Replacement by Experienced SERVPRO Professionals

With many structural elements missing from the office building, we rely on our general contractor license to prove our experience in build-back services. We can quickly replace missing ceiling tile and drywall, especially when the framework was not removed.

There are many areas of an office building that can become damaged by water and flooding events. The urgency of these situations requires our SERVPRO of North Morris County team to respond quickly. We have mitigative strategies to overcome pressing concerns. Give us a call today at (973) 983-5657.

Denville Businesses Trust SERVPRO with Water Damage Repairs

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657 for assistance from a professional remediation company.

Water Damage Repair and Contamination in Denville Businesses

Dealing with contamination is arguably one of the toughest challenges for professionals during the water damage repair of Denville commercial spaces. Rather than solely relying on antimicrobial products to handle the contamination, SERVPRO techs use various techniques. 

As moisture promotes and sustains microbial growth, SERVPRO techs first focus on drying during water damage repair of your Denville property. The application of antimicrobial products may help control microbes. However, techs use the products only once the humidity, and moisture levels are controlled. Contaminated material is removed from the property. 

SERVPRO techs ensure that the customer is thoroughly briefed regarding the procedure before the use of decontamination products. We only use EPA-registered antimicrobials and follow the recommended application methods.

Safety and Antimicrobial Application During the Water Restoration

Safety of the occupants and technicians is our priority during antimicrobial product application in commercial Denville properties. SERVPRO conforms with applicable federal, state, and local regulations or laws.  

Here are some of the ways we ensure that the procedure is safe and effective-

• Restoration technicians always wear personal protective equipment
• We never spray the products in HVAC systems while they are in operation
• Techs may apply antimicrobials in occupied commercial buildings 
• We only use safe antimicrobial products 

The application of antimicrobials to your water-damaged commercial property is not to sterilize the environment. Microbes are present everywhere, and it is impossible to rid an area of microbes completely. SERVPRO’s restoration efforts are directed toward reducing the contamination to the preloss level. 

Commercial properties must control microbial contamination to avoid potentially disastrous consequences after a water damage incident, and SERVPRO can help you with that. 

You can get further information by calling SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657.

Flood Damage in Your Denville Home? Call SERVPRO

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

Afraid your wood floors have been damaged by a Storm? No need to stress it, Let SERVPRO fix it.

SERVPRO Uses High-tech Equipment for Flood Damage in Denville

Successful flood damage restoration of Denville homes requires sophisticated equipment and tools. SERVPRO techs know which equipment to use and how to use them for the best possible results. 

Some of the equipment that SERVPRO techs use during flood damage restoration of Denville homes include:

• Moisture meters and Infra-red cameras
• Axial and centrifugal air movers 
• Refrigerant and desiccant dehumidifiers
• Pumps and water extractors
• Heating and cooling equipment

In some situations, SERVPRO techs implement heating (or cooling) to speed up the drying after carefully evaluating the drying conditions. 

Role Of Heating And Cooling In Water Cleanup After A Storm

When external heat is used to increase the air temperature to facilitate drying, the process is called 'heat drying.' SERVPRO techs use a heat and air exchange drying system that uses an indirect fired furnace to heat the airspace of your Denville property during flood restoration. The indirect-fired furnace takes dry outdoor air and warms it before introducing it into the drying zone. The indirect fired furnaces are installed outside the structure and can produce 100,000 to 800,000 BTU/hour of heat. 

If heating a limited area is required, SERVPRO techs often use portable electric heaters that can focus heat on a small space. 

Restoration technicians sometimes also use air conditioning units to increase occupant comfort and allow the refrigerant dehumidifiers to remain within their optimum range (below 90°F). 

For commercial projects, SERVPRO uses a state-of-the-art direct expansion unit that can provide both heating and cooling and humidity control. 

We are committed to helping the community's property owners provide industry-leading service. If you have any questions, call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657.

It Pays to Hire SERVPRO for Mold Removal in Rockaway

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

All you need is SERVPRO for all your restoration needs. Call (973) 983-5657.

Why Is SERVPRO So Effective At Mold Removal In Rockaway?

Mold removal at your Rockaway home is not a do-it-yourself job. You need professional help if you want a long-term solution to the problem. SERVPRO techs, with their years of experience and training, can offer a much better outcome and prevent the damage from turning into a full-blown disaster. 

SERVPRO adheres to the recommendations made by IICRC during mold removal in Rockaway homes and controls the contamination at its source. Allowing the mold or moisture conditions to remain can damage building materials. Hence, it is important to address the issue promptly. Professionals like SERVPRO use a multi-step process to remediate the situation safely and effectively.  

Why Are Antimicrobials Not Effective In Mold Remediation? 

Antimicrobials are products applied into or onto a material to suppress or retard future mold growth. Rather than attempting to kill or encapsulate the contamination in place, SERVPRO techs prioritize physically removing the mold during remediation. 

The use of antimicrobials without removing the fungus is highly discouraged by the IICRC as-.

• Antimicrobials are ineffective on porous and semi-porous material
• The presence of biofilms or organic matter renders the antimicrobials less effective
• Antimicrobials may interfere with post-remediation verification

Hence, restorers mustn't overtly rely on biocides alone to control mold. 

Encapsulation of mold damage is also highly discouraged by IICRC as the sealant products may change the permeability of materials. It may also cause condensation problems and result in future deterioration. The bottom line is to remove the visible mold infestations, apply an antifungal agent, and then complete the build back if required.

SERVPRO offers inspection, remediation, and removal services if you suspect mold damage at your home. Contact SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657 to know more.  

Structure Cleaning During Fire Damage Restoration in Denville

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

Don’t let fire damage overwhelm you, call the professionals at SERVPRO of North Morris County.

SERVPRO Helps Denville Homeowners Complete Structural Cleanup with No Disruptions

Fires vary in degree of destruction. Fortunately, not all destroy property and belongings, thanks to the fire safety measures and the quick action of our fire departments. However, even a minor kitchen fire incident leaves damage hence the need for cleanup in affected areas and throughout the house. The experience can be emotionally gut-wrecking for most Denville homeowners. SERVPRO helps develop a plan to restore your property to its preloss condition while minimizing disruption.

Structure cleaning during fire restoration in Denville prevents future damage. Damage may continue to occur after extinguishing a fire from soot residue exposure. This is one reason why professional structural cleanup is essential. Once a fire is out, our team conducts a thorough evaluation of the structure to identify areas in need of repair.

Other Measures are Taken to Prevent Structure Damage

• Removal of debris 
• Drying out moisture from firefighting efforts
• Removing fire extinguishing residues

Dealing with Charring and Smoke Damage on Wood Surfaces

The intensity of a fire can compromise the strength of a house by charring or scorching wood framing. You find that solid wood starts burning outside due to the heat, and if such charring is deep enough, its structural strength is affected. Our technicians tear down any charred materials that cannot be restored. If framing displays a significant loss of surface material, we ensure any steps taken comply with state and local regulations.

Methods that fix charring and odors

• Wire-brushing
• Scraping
• Abrasive blasting
• Application of a deodorizing pre-sealer

Smoke and soot tend to get absorbed by almost everything in a home. The longer the exposure, the greater the likelihood of replacing the affected items. Soot damage results in staining wood framing, and cleanup can prove challenging as smoke tends to permeate wood surfaces due to its porous nature. Our technicians prefer to remove residues by cleaning. However, when cleaning fails to remove all residues, we may have to seal the surface.

SERVPRO of North Morris County can handle your fire restoration needs effectively. Call us at (973) 983-5657. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How to Recover From Flood Damage affecting Your Denville Home

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

There is no job too big or small for your local SERVPRO of North Morris County.

SERVPRO Provides Denville Homeowners with Excellent Services During Flood Repairs

Flooding is a severe problem that many homeowners have to deal with annually. Floods can cause a wide range of issues in your Denville home and, if not addressed right away, can lead to further damages and very costly repairs. Flood restoration ought to be done by professionals as they have the right tools for the job and workforce.

Flood damage repairs in Denville homes start with cleanup, which is a daunting process that must be done thoroughly. SERVPRO aims to remove all floodwater, dirt, and mud accumulated in your home, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. We have tools to make flood cleanup easier, such as submersible pumps, truck-mounted pumps, or portable extractors for immediate water removal. Our SERVPRO technicians use shovels to remove the debris and pressure washers to clean off the remnants.

Flood Damage May Cause

• Warping and buckling of hardwood floors
• Damage to furniture and fixtures
• Moisture in walls
• Ruined appliances

Managing Moisture in Some Items

Floodwater from a storm is nasty as it might be mixed with sewage leaks, chemical spills, and everyday contaminants. Cleaning items are cheaper than replacing them. However, upholstered furniture, draperies, and mattresses should be tossed. While soaked particle-board furniture may fall apart, those made of hardwood, metal, plastic, and glass should be fine once thoroughly cleaned.

Hardwood floors may survive the damage but require a lot of care. In this case, we remove a few boards here and there to allow others to expand so that they do not warp. We also monitor the subfloor because, in some situations, a hardwood floor might dry, whereas the subflooring underneath remains wet.

Dealing With a Wet Subfloor

• Inspect the subfloor
• Circulate dry air
• Apply biocides to prevent mold growth

SERVPRO of North Morris County provides 24/7 flood damage restoration service, thus helping get your home to its preloss state as fast as possible. Call us at (973) 983-5657. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Water Damage Restoration in Rockaway Homes- Where to Start

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

Let your local SERVPRO of North Morris County professionals resolve your water damage problems.

SERVPRO Offers Rockaway Homeowners Rapid Water 

Repairs Preventing Secondary Issues

Water damage necessitates repair, whether it affects the floors, ceilings, or walls. Time is of the essence as moisture could further affect your Rockaway home's belongings, fixtures, and fittings. In some situations, the damage can be too extensive for you to manage; thus, getting help from a restoration service is paramount to ensure the process is done correctly.

Before embarking on water damage restoration in a Rockaway home, SERVPRO documents all of the damage first. This helps with any insurance claims you make. We create two different estimates, one for structure and another for contents due to insurance coverage as required by most companies. Our production manager scopes and estimates the cost involved with cleaning and restoration. We provide packing materials upon request for some of the most important items you wish to take out.

Effects of Water Damage

• Musty odors
• Unsightly stains
• Microbial growth

High levels of moisture cause musty odors and hideous stains, but it could most likely also lead to microbial growth. If mold starts to grow and is left unaddressed, it could cause structural damage that can be costly to fix.

Drying Wet Materials and Managing Humidity

After fixing what is causing the leak and assessing the situation, our crew focuses on removing water from your home. With commercial-grade vacuums and pumps, we remove excess water from floors, furniture, and carpets, then use a mop to absorb any moisture in hard-to-reach areas. After all standing water is removed, we tend to damp belongings. We set air movers and dehumidifiers to help dry damp areas of your home. Our crew helps determine salvageable and discard anything that is no longer safe to use. When dealing with content, it is important to sort them out before taking action.

The Best Criteria Are to Group Them Into:

• Salvageable items
• Unsalvageable items
• Questionable items

SERVPRO of North Morris County evaluates properties to determine the best water damage restoration approach. Call us at (973) 983-5657. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How to Conduct Commercial Water Removal in Denville

3/17/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO commercial damage restoration team has the manpower and experience for every size disaster. We are here to help.

SERVPRO is Sufficiently Equipped to Perform Commercial Water Removal in Denville

How water can affect a commercial establishment like a retail store is unpredictable. It can affect the walls, the floor, or your business records. Staircases that are overly exposed to humidity can weaken.

Some materials like wood and drywall that have sustained water damage can be rendered useless. SERVPRO has a team of highly skilled and equipped technicians to help property owners or managers to perform commercial water removal in Denville. We can take the following steps to restore your property within a short time to get you back in business:

Finding the Leak

Upon arrival, we can find the source of the water leakage and fix it before we embark on extracting the water.

Water Extraction

The water causes more damage the more it sits on a property. Our SERVPRO team can use pumps to remove stagnant water from the building to avoid secondary damages like mold infestation.

Cleaning and Disinfection

After water extraction, SERVPRO can clean and disinfect all the affected structures and contents, including store fixtures, safely to avoid future problems.

Drying and Dehumidification

We can use air movers to enhance evaporation. This equipment introduces airflow at the surface level and replaces the cool, saturated boundary layer with drier, warmer air from dehumidifiers. Air movers also move dry, dehumidified air from rooms where restorers have positioned dehumidifiers to other rooms of a building.

Repairing and Restoration

Our restorers can perform repair and restoration practices like replacing unsalvageable materials, minor reconstructions, and even complete commercial reconstructions.

Document Recovery

The loss of critical records can hugely alter the daily operations and functions that keep your business floating. SERVPRO can use vacuum freeze-drying chambers to dry all the wet documents quickly, securely, and effectively to avert this disaster.

SERVPRO of North Morris County is the right firm to hire when looking forward to recovering from water damage in a commercial property. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. Contact us at (973) 983-5657.

Removing Smoke Odors from Soft Materials in Rockaway Homes

3/17/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot odor removal is no DIY task. SERVPRO fire damage restoration specialists have you covered from start to finish.

Fire Restoration in Rockaway Homes Involves Overcoming Malodors

After a fire, many post-extinguishment effects must be addressed and cleaned to return your property to preloss condition. Among the most widespread and threatening of these is the presence of harsh odors in damaged areas. Smoke malodors are a product of several combusted elements, including:

• Burning materials
• Accelerants
• Fuels
• Aerosols

Upholstery and Drapery Cleaning

The start of fire restoration in Rockaway homes and businesses involves the inspection of contents and soft materials in the house. Upholstery and drapes are easily impacted by migrating harsh odors after extinguishment, making the use of deodorization products vital in the restoration of your home.

Restoring Smoke-Damaged Clothing

Soft materials like clothing are also impacted strongly by odors. Entire closets of materials must be removed and cleaned to eliminate these odor compounds trapped in the fibers. Deodorization equipment like thermal fogging can be helpful in this regard, though dry cleaning is often the most beneficial and direct approach for surface damage and smoke odors alike.

Open-Air Odor Management

In addition to the trapped odors that our team must overcome once we begin restoring your home after a fire, we must also manage present harsh smells in the open environments of the house. The placement of multiple hydroxyl generator units can often be beneficial in various ways. Not only can these units work to deodorize odor compounds circulating in the environment, but they also have HEPA filtration properties to grab aerosolized solids from the air.

There is no mistaking the damage that smoke and odors can do to your home after a fire. As widespread and fast-moving as these threats become, it is necessary to employ a team of experienced professionals to help overcome these effects in your house. Our SERVPRO of North Morris County team is standing by to help when you need it at (973) 983-5657.

Does Mold Removal in Denville Require Controlled Demolition of Some of the Home?

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage presents in many colors and grows very fast. Call SERVPRO at the first sight. We are standing by 24/7 for your emergency call.

SERVPRO Technicians Can Accurately Judge the Necessity for Heavy-duty Mold Intervention

Mold problems arise quickly and rarely go away by themselves. It normally requires an individual or team of professional mold remediation technicians. One of the reasons teamwork is so crucial to mold remediation is the removal of mold-infested materials. To get to the root of a microbial infestation often means removing parts of a wall or ceiling assembly. Walls and Ceilings are commonly built on top of a solid wood frame. The wall we see is the outermost layer which is usually made of plaster or Gypsum board. The cavity between framing and drywall allows walls to breathe and prevent sweating or other high-humidity damages. However, in some situations, mold can occur at the core of the wall assembly, the framework. We help with:

• Mold Damage
• Mold Remediation
• Ceiling and Wall Mold

Enlisting Denville's mold removal experts can help reduce the overall timespan and workload of remediation. Pulling away drywall or ceiling boards can be messy work requiring more than one person to dispose of infested materials correctly. After pulling away outer layers, our team at SERVPRO can gain access to the framework beneath. Sometimes supplying hot, dry air and exposing the framework of a building assembly can significantly reduce mold. To make sure, we can spray the mold with specialist anti-microbial chemicals to prevent it from building back up as time passes.

• Anti-microbial chemicals and biocides are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as safe to use in home environments.
• Thanks to our dedicated production technicians, clearing and disposing of debris is a quick and easy job.
• Moisture problems or microbial buildup inside vents can often be the core problem with recurring mold growth issues. 

We offer expert assistance for your home. Contact SERVPRO of North Morris County for Mold Removal at (973) 983-5657.

Is Fire Damage Permanent for Textured Ceilings and Masonry in Rockaway?

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot can reach the remote areas of your home. We can remove the soot and the odors. Call SERVPRO today!

SERVPRO Fire Damage Teams in Rockaway Have Unique Equipment for Textured Surfaces and Masonry

Fires release poisonous gases with huge amounts of soot, ash, and smoke. When confined to an enclosed space, like a home, the temperature changes brought about by fire can increase the air pressure within the room. This increase in air pressure means that soot, smoke, or ash, can be pressed against surfaces where it condenses and becomes challenging to remove. Removing compressed soot is twice as difficult when interior decor features textured ceilings, exposed brickwork, or another masonry because soot is pushed into the tiny cracks and cavities that make up a textured surface. Most homeowners rely on professional services to bring the correct equipment and clear soot, smoke, or ash from their homes after a fire. SERVPRO can help you with:

• Surface cleaning
• Soot Removal
• Specialty cleaning

When looking for fire damage restoration in Rockaway, it is essential to ensure that the company has the correct equipment and training. Licenses and qualifications can be checked using the internet, while larger companies often have better equipment and human resources. SERVPRO has fire damage restoration professionals who hold qualifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certifications body to accompany our advanced equipment. When restoring textured surfaces, using high-pressure equipment can speed up the process. Whether it is masonry, exposed brickwork, textured ceilings, a high air pressure pump, or in some circumstances, precision water pressure tools can help to remove staining quickly and easily. 

• Removing soots ingrained in surfaces is among the most effective odor control methods in a burnt property.
• High-pressure washers are often portable and can be used on both the interior and exterior of a home. 
• Compressed air canisters can help remove the soot without damaging or wetting the surface of bricks and masonry.

Fast restoration relies on advanced equipment. Contact SERVPRO of North Morris County for Fire Damage Restoration at (973) 983-5657.

Can Heavy Rainfall in Denville Require Professional Water Removal?

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO teams are ready to assist with storm flood damage remediation 24/7, just call us at (973) 983-5657.

SERVPRO Water Removal Experts in Denville Can Help Restore and Protect your Home Against Heavy Rainfall

Persistent rainfall over several weeks can result in the flooding of your crawlspace. The crawlspace is a recess that exists underneath the first-floor and subfloor of your home. Sometimes crawlspaces are used to run electrical wiring through into the house, while most properties have little to zero protection between the crawlspace cavity and upper insulation of the subfloor. When water intrudes into a subfloor space, it can stay there for several weeks due to a lack of air circulation, sunlight, and further rainfall. We recommend that you reach out to a professional for immediate assistance with:

• Crawlspace water removal
• Subfloor flooding
• Water mitigation

Performing standing water removal from your Denville crawlspace is a relatively quick task usually undertaken immediately upon arriving onsite. SERVPRO technicians can help protect your home from future crawlspace flooding by installing a crawlspace sump pump, a dehumidifier, and sealing the area with a twelve-millimeter crawl guard. Encapsulating a crawlspace protects the area from exterior openings while also preventing humidity, or vapor damage, from affecting the subfloor above. Our technicians can create a controlled and isolated environment atmospherically by successfully sealing the crawlspace. A controlled environment not only prevents future flooding but can also ensure that less damage occurs should equipment become overloaded or malfunction in the future.

• Installing a crawl guard in your home alongside a dehumidifier can reduce heating bills by up to 18% over a year.
• Sump pumps are designed to transport rainwater, and plumbing breaks out and away from the property during periods of heavy rainfall.
• Crawlspace liners can further reduce humidity or vapor damages to subfloor insulation in your home. As an added benefit, it may improve the indoor air quality of the living space.

For a comprehensive solution to crawlspace flooding, contact SERVPRO of North Morris County for water removal at (973) 983-5657.

Different Issues Caused by Flood Damage in Denville Homes

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

When flooding affects your home, team SERVPRO can help. Contact our certified team for effective flood damage remediation services.

SERVPRO Evaluates Denville Homes After Flood Damage to Reveal Severe or Hidden Damage

A flooding incident at your Denville home can be the genesis of many problems. Resolving them can be costly, risky, or highly inconvenient. Seeking help from a professional restoration team can prevent some if not all of these problems. 

The severity of an incident and time are the main factors influencing the issues you have to address after flood damage at your Denville home. Time, in this case, can mean the duration the main incident affects your property or the duration damages remain unresolved. On the other hand, severity is the level of negative forces that impact your home, whether rain, winds, or fast-moving groundwater. SERVPRO has resources to match any flooding severity.

A severe flooding incident can cause:

• Appliance damages
• Damage to structural and electrical installations
• Septic and well water system damage
• Mold contamination

Although you can anticipate many problems when you inspect how an incident affects your house, some issues can surprise you. For example, appliance damage is expected when items are submerged in floodwater or shattered by physical impact. However, high humidity can also negatively impact them by corroding internal components. SERVPRO can help by moving or covering items. Actions such as timely dehumidification also help counter the impact of flooding on electronics.

Many structural materials are vulnerable, including frames, wall panels, and ceilings. If water enters through the roof, the ceiling is left sagging. Groundwater, on the other hand, affects walls several inches or feet above the floor. Structural supports might also swell, rot or warp. 

Floodwaters leave chemicals and biohazards in a home. Mold contamination can develop if the property remains flooded for over 48 hours. Our SERVPRO teams have appropriate PPE to venture into affected properties safely.

SERVPRO of North Morris County provides the resources you need after flooding. Call us at (973) 983-5657 for solutions that counter flood damage, "Like it never even happened."

When Is Cleaning Sufficient for Mold Removal in Denville Homes?

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

Mold infestations can spread fast. Contact SERVPRO at the first sight or smell for best results. We are standing by 24/7 for your emergency call.

SERVPRO Cleans Layers of Soiling or Inactive Mold Contamination in Denville Properties

In many cases, mold remediation in Denville properties requires elaborate procedures as well as cleaning. For instance, removing materials like drywall and insulation is usually necessary since the contamination is deeply embedded. However, if the contamination is inactive, with only residues on the surfaces, cleaning is enough.

The causes of the infestation influence the choice of a mold removal method in Denville homes. While many infestations have persistent underlying moisture issues such as pipe leaks or condensation, others result from isolated moisture spikes such as flooding. Before deciding whether cleaning is sufficient, our SERVPRO technicians inspect the property to determine the moisture sources.

Such evaluation may require unique equipment like:

• Thermo-hygrometers to check humidity levels
• Thermal cameras to inspect concealed areas
• Moisture meters for wetness in materials

After establishing that cleaning is sufficient for tackling the mold, the next challenge is to do it correctly. Cleaning should address several issues for the exercise to be deemed successful.

The necessary standards mold cleaning should meet are:

• Limited or no debris spread
• Should leave materials dry
• Must remove the soils, stains, and smells from mold

Meeting these standards is only possible if one is well prepared for the cleaning. When SERVPRO is called to deliver cleaning services, we prepare different resources, including vacuum cleaners to lift loose debris from surfaces before embarking on other cleaning procedures, thus ensuring no unnecessary spreading of moldy materials.

Cleaning stubborn soils and stains requires more power, unlike removing light residues from surfaces. A method like damp wiping with detergent solutions is necessary for cleaning mold soils growing in layers. Our SERVPRO technicians choose detergents with antimicrobial properties. Drying resources are also essential to remove any moisture originally there or deposited during cleaning. Our technicians use dehumidifiers with low airflow. 

SERVPRO of North Morris County ensures mold removal procedures are appropriate for the contamination in your property. Call us at (973) 983-5657. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Surprising Issues in Rockaway Homes That Might Interfere with Fire Damage Restoration

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

Taking a peek at the charred remains after a house fire can cause some anxiety. Bring the professionals in right away to handle the situation.

SERVPRO Is Well Prepared to Handle Power Outage Challenges at Your Rockaway House During Restoration

Taking prompt action in the aftermath of a fire is essential for resuming daily activities at your Rockaway home. Faster restoration can also help ease the costs involved. Although the advantages of a speedier conclusion are clear, many issues can delay the conclusion of a restoration exercise.

Sometimes what interferes with fire damage restoration in a Rockaway home might be minor or unexpected. Only an experienced restoration team such as SERVPRO can anticipate such challenges and thus prevent or resolve them easily.

Some hindrances to fire restoration are centered on electricity and include:

• Power interruption
• Power distribution challenges
• Challenges lighting the work site
• Heating

Fire affects most of the utilities in the house by damaging cables, pipes, and other parts. For example, the insulating materials around electric cables are devastated by heat and flames. Therefore, turning off the power at the mains is necessary until the utilities are inspected and deemed safe to operate, or the damaged electrical is removed.

Turning off power for safety creates other problems since many of the equipment needed to clean or remove materials run on electricity. One way to fix this is by using a generator. The choice of a generator can be challenging. It hinges on the dimensions of your house and accessibility issues such as reaching confined areas. SERVPRO has different generator types, including portable and industrial varieties, to handle every challenge, including 24-hour operation.

Proper heating and lighting are necessary to restore a property after fire damage. Heating helps with drying and protects electronics from cooling to the dew point in a humid environment, which causes secondary damage from corrosion. Sufficient lighting is essential for completing various tasks faster, including cleaning, demolition, and refinishing damaged areas.

SERVPRO of North Morris County has all the resources you need to counter fire damage restoration challenges. Call us at (973) 983-5657. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Can SERVPRO Assist Rockway Homeowners with Water Extraction from their Properties?

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

Excess water in your home can quickly cause damage to your property. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for effective water removal and remediation services.

SERVPRO techs use industry-leading technology for water extraction from Rockaway homes

Water accumulated on your property can compromise the integrity of various structural materials, including wood, metal, and concrete. It is crucial to get professionals like SERVPRO involved right away for water extraction from your Rockaway property before the matter gets out of hand. 

SERVPRO techs use several pieces of equipment during water extraction from your Rockaway property, depending on the amount and condition of water to be removed. Small portable extractors can handle relatively small amounts of water resulting from burst pipes or ceiling leaks. To remove large quantities of water, for instance, after flooding or sewage cleanup, SERVPRO techs use large, truck-mounted units.  

What are self-priming trash pumps used during SERVPRO’s water removal service in Rockaway?

Self-priming trash pumps are high-power pumps that can remove solids and other debris along with water from your Rockaway property. The trash pumps are classified into the following types depending on the size of solids they can handle:

• Semi-trash
• Trash
• Full trash
• Slurry

The semi-trash, trash, and full trash pumps can pass progressively larger solids, while the slurry pumps are specifically designed to carry fluid laden with sand or mud.  

Why do SERVPRO techs don’t use trash pumps in flooded basements? 

Trash pumps are most applicable when the water needs to be transported horizontally, and only a little lift is required. Hence, these pumps are ideal for removing water from single-story structures.

Techs use high-pressure pumps that offer a high lift to remove water from basements and other underground structures. 

If you need assistance with water restoration in your home, call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657.

What Types of Water Damage Can Occur in Denville in the Winter Time?

12/31/2021 (Permalink)

When frozen pipes bring excess water into your home, team SERVPRO can help. Contact our certified technicians right away for remediation services.

SERVPRO Can Provide Emergency Services for Water Damages in Denville

When most people think of property damage caused by storms, they think of thunderstorms and flooding conditions that mainly occur during the warmer months in the summer and spring. However, when the weather gets colder in the fall and winter, there are different issues that Mother Nature can create. Any time the temperature drops below freezing, the cold temperatures and snowstorms can become the culprits of property damage. 

Frozen pipes and ice damming in Denville are the two most common types of disasters in the fall and winter. Both of these occurrences can cause excessive damage to your building materials and contents. Any time moisture gets into your dwelling, issues can arise. Luckily, our highly trained SERVPRO technicians can provide the following services to assist you:

• Flood Damage Remediation
• Clean Up After a Sewer Backup
• Repair Damage Caused by Burst Pipes
• Mitigate Issues Caused by Ice Dams
• Water Extraction Services
• Ceiling Repairs from Water Damages

Most people know the importance of keeping the heater on during the winter when out of town. When the temperature drops below freezing outside, it is possible that certain sections of your pipes can freeze. Once water freezes, it can expand and cause your pipes to burst and leak. When this occurs, hundreds of gallons of water could have leaked into your home while you are out of town. The longer your contents and building materials stay wet, the worst the damage can become.

Ice dams are also another occurrence that can cause water damage to your house. Ice dams typically occur after a snowstorm once the snow starts melting. If your roof is warmer in some sections than others, a block of ice can form on your gutters and prevent water from draining.

If you ever notice water leaking into your home due to frozen pipes or an ice dam, call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657. 

Can SERVPRO Help Denville Homeowners Deal with the Aftermath of Frozen Pipes and Ice Damming?

12/26/2021 (Permalink)

When pipes freeze, they can often crack or break causing excess water to enter a property. Contact SERVPRO to assess the situation and remediate.

Frozen pipes and ice dams in your Denville home have you worried? Call SERVPRO

Frozen pipes and ice dams are the biggest culprits causing water damage to Denville homes after a winter storm. If you need help in dealing with the aftermath of such an unfortunate incident, SERVPRO is here to help you. 

SERVPRO techs have the experience, training, and the right equipment to handle water damage resulting from frozen pipes and ice damming in Denville homes. You must take immediate action and call professionals like SERVPRO if you notice leakage from a frozen pipe or a leaky roof.   

What should you do if you notice a burst pipe in your Denville home after a winter storm? 

Before the SERVPRO techs can arrive at your Denville home to assist you with water damage due to a frozen pipe, here are a few things that you can do-

• Make sure that the water valve is turned off at the main supply 
• Open the faucet so that the stream and pressure can escape when the pipes begin to thaw
• Never start thawing the frozen pipe in the middle as it can create high pressure within the pipe, causing it to burst
• Wait for the professionals to arrive before taking any drastic measures to thaw out the frozen sections 

Can you prevent pipes from freezing?

While it is true that even after taking the best preventive measures, pipes can still burst, you can minimize the probability of this happening by taking the following steps- 

• Insulate the pipes and other water fixtures 
• Leave the faucets running with a slight trickle on especially cold, stormy days.

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657; our techs are available 24/7 to help you.

Can Homeowners Perform Water Damage Repair in Rockaway Caused by Leaking Appliances?

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has advanced water extraction equipment to mitigate damage in Rockaway homes. Not this!

Water Damage Repair in Your Rockaway Home Necessitates the Services of a Reputable Restoration Firm Like SERVPRO

A water leak in the kitchen from a faulty dishwasher can quickly cause extensive water damage. Mold development can also occur, and it can lead to health effects. Getting in touch with a reputable restoration company like SERVPRO within 24 hours might help prevent additional damage.

It is important to remember that delaying water damage repair in your Rockaway property for more than 48 hours might result in irreversible and costly damage. By accelerating up the drying process, we can reduce the secondary effects of water damage. SERVPRO has cutting-edge equipment and tools to reduce moisture levels, even in hard-to-reach places.

Water extraction is a vital step in eradicating moisture from a building. The more water we remove, the less time we spend evaporating and dehumidifying the remaining moisture using drying equipment. We can use various extraction tools to remove water from floors, including:

• Light wands
• Extraction units
• Submersible pumps
• Deep extraction tools

To dry your property, our restorers might employ centrifugal air movers and desiccant dehumidifiers. These dehumidifiers produce the driest air, meaning that they produce air that has the lowest vapor pressure. When the temperature in the affected area is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, they are the only dehumidifiers that can eliminate the moisture.

We can also remediate any existing contamination. Our SERVPRO team can use quaternary compounds to treat affected regions effectively. The product is an effective broad-spectrum disinfectant that eliminates a broad range of bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Primary and secondary water damage can occur across a large area and in a short period, and if not addressed promptly, it may compromise the structural integrity of your home. Our SERVPRO restorers are quick to respond and take action to safeguard you from incurring costly damage.

Water damage repair is a difficult task that necessitates specialized knowledge. Contact SERVPRO of North Morris County for comprehensive water damage repair at (973) 983-5657. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Where to Get Fire Damage Restoration in the Denville Area

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has a large inventory of air movers and other devices to mitigate smoke odors in Denville homes

SERVPRO Performs Fire Damage Restoration in Denville Homes Responsibly

A fire incident creates the fear of losing many possessions and damaging costly building materials. After such an incident, hiring a responsible fire restoration firm is vital. SERVPRO is your local fire and smoke damage restoration company with a proven track record in bringing homes back to their original condition whenever possible.

We care about your family and can perform fire damage restoration in your Denville residence. After a fire is extinguished, you might be left to deal with continuing destruction because of acid residue, caustic odors, and smoke stains. Our SERVPRO FSRT fire and smoke damage restoration technicians are highly trained and certified to perform various procedures to ensure your property is cleaned effectively. These procedures include:

• Removing smoke damage
• Cleaning structures and contents
• Removing odors
• Structural restoration

To perform fire repair, we remove everything that the fire affected from a property. A fire’s effects might spread beyond the area that was initially affected. Ash and smoke can easily spread throughout a structure and cause damage. SERVPRO’s structural restoration service includes cleaning walls, floors, vents, air ducts, and fixtures. We can use general surface cleaners to remove smoke residues from washable surfaces like hard surface furniture, painted ceilings and walls, plastics, paneling, and appliances.

After fire damage, there can be an unmistakable smoke odor. Our SERVPRO team can remove the odors using various products. We consider the type of material to get rid of the smoke odor. For instance, if there is a smoke odor on unfinished wood, we can apply a sealant to it. If the smoke odor is on finished wood, we can strip, sand, and refinish it. In the case of carpets, we can clean them thoroughly. If the smoke odor does not dissipate, our team can replace the carpeting.

Do not let fire damage disrupt your lifestyle. Call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Why is Professional Commercial Water Removal in Denville Essential?

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO also has a physical business address that may require water damage mitigation as does any Denville commercial site

Hiring Experts Like SERVPRO to Perform Commercial Water Removal in Denville Ensures Success

Issues like leaking pipes, HVAC drips, and sprinkler system leaks can cause water damage in commercial establishments like office buildings. Water intrusion incidents are a cause for concern for business owners. Apart from impacting a commercial property, water damage can lead to losses of costly business equipment, and place the people who work in the buildings at risk of safety and health issues. To restore your property, you can get help from SERVPRO.

Our locally owned and operated company has many years of combined expertise and skills to perform commercial water removal in your Denville property efficiently. Our water extraction experts can handle all aspects of water removal from the initial assessment to cleaning your building or business thoroughly so that it is safe once more. The steps that our SERVPRO team can take to restore your commercial property include:

• Noting the severity of the damage by taking images
• Isolating the affected area to ensure the health and safety of the occupants
• Performing thorough water removal and drying
• Deodorization

Taking note of the severity of the damage is an essential step in reporting it to your insurer. Our team can use non-penetrating moisture meters to measure the amount of moisture in the affected surfaces. These meters use radio frequency emissions, capacitance, or conductivity to detect moisture. They do not penetrate the materials we are testing, and they, therefore, do not cause surface damage. For that reason, our SERVPRO team uses non-penetrating moisture meters to initially locate abnormally high moisture in materials such as plaster and drywall where reducing surface damage is vital.

Our SERVPRO team can extract moisture from carpeting, upholstery and furnishings using air moving and dehumidifying equipment to ensure that mold does not grow. We can also deep clean and dry all other affected materials and surfaces to restore them to their original state.

If you need expert commercial water extraction services, call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How Does SERVPRO Help Denville Residents Overcome Flood Damage?

11/7/2021 (Permalink)

Leaks in your ceiling from a storm? SERVPRO storm and flood damage remediation techs are top-notch. We have you covered from start to finish.

Our Variety of Flood Damage Cleanup and Repair Services Help Homeowners Recover.

As with most of New Jersey, Denville often experiences the effects of coastal storms and the state’s notoriously rainy weather. Rest assured, though, that companies like SERVPRO have a portfolio of services that can successfully resolve whatever flood-related issues your home may suffer as a result of this stormy weather.

Returning homes to their pre-storm condition is one of the things Denville flood damage remediator SERVPRO does best. Our biohazard remediation experts are skilled in performing all kinds of storm damage cleanup and restoration work. They routinely perform water removal services, basement flooding cleanup, sewage cleanup, and water damage remediation. Specifically, our highly-trained technicians:

• Promptly arrive, usually within four hours of your initial call, to thoroughly evaluate your home’s flood damage
• Employ powerful water extractors to clear basements and first floors of large pools of standing water
• Scientifically return your home to its normal interior humidity using air movers, dehumidifiers, and Injectidry systems, as well as regional environmental data and high-tech moisture measurement devices like Thermo hygrometers and moisture meters 
• Eliminate microbial threats by professionally disposing of hazardous waste and fogging impacted areas/surfaces with commercial-grade disinfectants and antifungals
• Fully deodorizing your flood-damaged home with powerful deodorants to eliminate persistent odors
• Reconstruct irreparably harmed structural elements and sections of your residence

All of these measures are essential to return your living space to its pre-flood state and, unlike many other area services, we are usually able to perform them quickly and effectively.

So, if you are ever unfortunate enough to experience flooding, don’t hesitate to call your helpful neighbors at SERVPRO of North Morris County. We are always ready to remediate your flood damage at (973) 983-5657.

Why SERVPRO is One of the Best Mold Remediation Firms in Rockaway?

10/31/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage remediation is no DIY project. SERVPRO techs are trained and experienced in mold mitigation, call now.

There Are Several Reasons SERVPRO Is Among the Best Mold Remediators in Rockaway.

There are a few mold remediation companies in the Rockaway area, but few have achieved the status of SERVPRO. As a result of our service to this community, we have gained recognition for our extensive, specialized training, high-quality services, dedication to customers, and sincere desire to help our neighbors. 

When selecting a mold remediation company in Rockaway, it is important to find one like SERVPRO that knows what it is doing and has its heart in the right place. After serving the local community for over fifty years, our mold specialists have expertly done mold inspection, bathroom mold removal, basement mold remediation, attic mold removal, and black mold damage repairs. While performing these services, customers have praised SERVPRO for its:

• Extensive training and knowledge in microbial remediation, structural drying, carpet, fabric & upholstery cleaning, water damage restoration, and odor control
• Fast and effective remediation work that harnesses the power of all the latest, most advanced cleanup and restoration equipment
• Exceedingly high customer satisfaction ratings on Facebook, Google, and Yelp reviews
• Dedication to helping others by meeting local mold remediation needs and donating its time and resources to charitable organizations like the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Hospital, and the Salvation Army 

In all of these ways, SERVPRO’s reputation has been bolstered. As a result, our firm has been acknowledged as one of the best mold remediators in Rockaway.

Whenever you suspect or encounter mold in your residence, remember that SERVPRO of North Morris County is always here to help you. Regardless of the type of mold remediation work you need, we are likely able to complete it. Contact us anytime at (973) 983-5657 for assistance.

What Water Damage Repair Work Might I Need If My Denville Home Is Impacted?

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses only EPA-registered biocides for all water damage restoration jobs. Our goal is to have your home back to preloss conidition.

Your Denville Home Could Need Anything from Deodorizing to Partial Reconstruction.

Water damage, from any of several causes, is a common occurrence in Denville. Its impact on your home can range from relatively minor up to catastrophic. Fortunately, regardless of how it occurs, rest assured that local services like SERVPRO have the experience and means to remediate it effectively. 

The experienced professionals at SERVPRO have decades of experience handling water damage repair in Denville. Our technicians have routinely performed emergency water damage services like water cleanup, basement flooding resolution, and water damage remediation. Over time, they have encountered all types of water-related issues. With that said, water leak-impacted homes remediated by SERVPRO have generally required one or more of the following services:

• Repair of burst pipes, ceiling leaks, or corroded or otherwise damaged water containers
• Removal of various amounts of standing water from all around the home, using powerful wet vacs or cutting edge water extractors
• Drying of interior air, structural elements, and contents with state-of-the-art air movers, dehumidifiers, and Injectidry systems
• Treatment of impacted areas and materials with commercial-grade antimicrobials, innovative injection devices, and advanced foggers
• Full deodorization of the interiors and contents of your residence with strong, EPA-approved deodorants
• Repair of water-damaged floors, walls, ceilings, and contents, as well as full reconstruction of destroyed parts of your home 

Once we have completed whatever cleanup and restoration efforts a residence needs, it is often difficult even to notice that a damaging water-related event ever occurred.

Considering all this, it is easy to see why many of our neighbors call SERVPRO of North Morris County when they need water damage repair work completed. So, if you ever need help recovering from a water-related issue, don’t hesitate to call us at (973) 983-5657.

Need Smoke and Fire Damage Restoration in Denville – Call SERVPRO

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke damage restoration can be very stressful. SERVPRO will work with your insurance company to have your home back to preloss condition.

Fire Damage Mitigation Reduces Impact on Your Home in Denville

Many consumers don't know where to begin after a fire in their Denville Home. Should they go in and try to save their family keepsakes? Do they begin cleanup? What do they keep, and what must be thrown away because it has been damaged beyond repair? Do they have fire insurance, and does their insurance cover this event? Is it safe to enter the home after the fire? There are so many questions, and it isn't easy to know what to focus on first!

SERVPRO can help with fire restoration in your Denville home or business. We have the experience, the equipment, the training, and the relationships with most major fire insurance companies. We know what to tackle first to minimize the damage from the fire and the efforts of the firemen to extinguish the fire.

One of our primary concerns is safety. Is your home structurally safe to enter? Are there electrical hazards, and is there a danger of slips and falls on slippery surfaces? We are on-site in less than 4 hours from your call to our office. We assess the situation to ensure that all of these factors and more are considered before we enter the home. We want to keep you safe, save as much of your belongings as possible, and minimize the ongoing damage from moisture and fire retardants in your home.

SERVPRO provides the following services to help our customers during emergencies:

• Fire Damage restoration
• Smoke Damage Remediation
• House Fire Cleanup
• Work closely with the Client and their Insurance Company

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County for fire restoration in Denville and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (973) 983-5657.

Need Commercial Emergency Water Damage Restoration in Denville – Call SERVPRO

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO techs have the training and experience for any size commercial water damage to your property. Call now for fast and immediate service.

Mold in Commercial Buildings – Time for Water Damage Restoration in Denville

Burst water pipes in Denville commercial buildings require fast water restoration to minimize downtime of your retail operations. In addition, many tiny water leaks go unnoticed for weeks, even months, until one day your employees or even your customers ask what that musty smell is they keep noticing. It is probably mold, and there is moisture or even water leaking into the building somewhere that is an ideal location for a mold colony to grow. In many ways, a major break of a water pipe is easier since it is immediately noticed, and action can be taken to restore the damage.

Whether you have a major water leak flooding your business or smell mold in your office in Denville, it's time to call SERVPRO for help with water damage restoration. We can respond within four hours from your initial call and deploy the equipment needed to vacuum up excess water and begin drying floors, structures, and contents.

Mold can begin growing quickly in 24 to 48 hours if water removal and drying are not initiated immediately. Fast action by our team can avoid mold colonies and help your commercial operation return to normal quickly. Mold can cause health effects. At SERVPRO, we take the steps necessary to protect your employees and customers while mold remediation is underway.

While not every water leak causes mold to materialize, SERVPRO offers the following services to return your commercial business to normal as quickly as possible after a water leak:

• Emergency Services Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Mold Inspections, Remediation, and Removal
• Water Removal Services

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County for water damage restoration in Denville and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (973) 983-5657.

SERVPRO Offers Fast Response After Flood Damage to your Rockaway Home

9/21/2021 (Permalink)

Storm waters may have viruses and bacteria in them. SERVPRO has the manpower and equipment for any size disaster. Call now!

Storms & Flood Damage Create Safety Hazards – Let SERVPRO Help

Catastrophic flood damage in Rockaway causes immediate hardship and additional damage to contents and structures if water is not removed and everything dried immediately. All of your contents are fully immersed in contaminated floodwaters; mold colonies can rapidly grow, leading to further damage. Mold can cause health effects for many consumers, and numerous safety issues can materialize.

SERVPRO has the equipment and staff to respond to emergency flood damage in Rockaway and surrounding areas. We can mobilize truck-mounted pumps to begin removing water and contaminated materials from flooded basements in less than four hours from your call. It is important it is to remove water, damaged contents and begin drying to avoid mold growth, which often begins in as little as 24 to 48 hours.

Residents should be cautious about entering their homes after flooding. There may be several hazards that need to be considered. 

• Slips and falls on surfaces contaminated with mud, 
• Chemicals and biological material, including viruses and bacteria
• Electrical systems that are compromised, 
• Sharp edges from broken glass and other personal items that were damaged during the storm.

Our SERVPRO technicians are on the lookout for all of these hazards as they begin removing water and debris as well as damaged materials. We make sure your home is safe to enter for you and our cleaning staff as we begin restoring your home to its original condition, “Like it never even happened.” We keep you safe, and our fast response mitigates the total damage caused by floodwaters.

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County for flood damage in Rockaway and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (973) 983-5657.

Rockaway Businesses can Save on Water Restoration Expenses With SERVPRO.

9/14/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage to your commercial building is no easy task. SERVPRO is the team to have to handle all the work for you, from beginning to end.

Can SERVPRO's Water Restoration Service Protect Rockaway Business from Secondary Water Damage? 

A successful water restoration of your Rockaway commercial space can happen if the moisture level is brought back to the preloss condition as soon as possible. Any hidden moisture that can keep attacking the structural components increases the risk of secondary damage. 

Technicians at SERVPRO use state-of-the-art moisture monitoring equipment during water restoration of Rockaway properties to ensure rapid drying. Without proper equipment, it can get difficult to determine whether the current drying plan is working or not. SERVPRO techs can adjust their strategy based on the readings from such monitoring equipment. Some of the most common moisture sensing equipment that SERVPRO techs use in Rockaway include-

• Moisture sensors
• Thermal imaging camera
• Moisture meters
• Thermo-hygrometers

Why SERVPRO Techs Use Thermal Cameras during Water Cleanup from Commercial Spaces in Rockaway?  

Commercial spaces are significantly more extensive compared to residential buildings. Hence, a moisture sensing device used in such structures in Rockaway must inspect more areas in less time. Thermal imaging cameras are best for such a purpose. Furthermore, they don't cause any damage to the surface, unlike penetrating moisture meters. Another advantage of these cameras is that SERVPRO techs can inspect even tricky areas such as extremely high ceilings of a commercial building. 

Although a thermal camera is not immune to false readings due to air movement and electrical heat, an experienced restorer can distinguish such readings from accurate readings. 

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657 for round-the-clock assistance. 

SERVPRO Can Save Denville Businesses from Long-term Effects of Flood Damage

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

Flood and storm damage to your commercial building is not a job for a layman. SERVPRO has you covered from start to finish.

Flood Damage to Commercial Spaces in Denville Needs Professional Restoration by SERVPRO

Floods can wreak havoc on places of business such as stores, restaurants, and offices. The priority of the restorers is to decontaminate and restore after flood damage to your Denville commercial property. However, some parts of the structure and contents that are extensively damaged might need to be removed and replaced.

SERVPRO techs might need to perform controlled demolition of structural components that suffer extensively from flood damage to your Denville property. Whether such a procedure is required depends on factors including the porosity, exposure time, and the level of contamination. 

Controlled Demolition Activities That SERVPRO Techs Perform During Flood Restoration of your Denville Property

SERVPRO techs perform controlled demolition in areas with category 2 and 3 water damage (moderate to heavy contamination). 

• Flooring: Restorers always remove contaminated carpet pads from your Denville building in case of category 2 and 3 water damage. SERVPRO techs use tools such as a knee kicker and a carpet awl to carefully detach the carpet from the tack strip to prevent damage to the carpet backing. Restorers can often salvage the carpet in category two damage. Other floor materials such as tile, hardwood, laminate, and vinyl may need to be removed. 
• Trim: SERVPRO techs remove contaminated wood trim such as baseboard and door and window trim using a pry bar and a putty knife. 
• HVAC: If contamination finds its way into the HVAC system, the priority is to contain the contamination. The components of the HVAC system that are affected might need to be replaced as well. 

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657 for a fast water restoration service. 

Can SERVPRO Help Denville Homeowners in Fire Damage Restoration?

8/24/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and soot damage restoration services by SERVPRO are second to none. Call now for the help you need.

SERVPRO Can Handle Any Size Fire Damage Restoration in Denville

One of the biggest challenges in fire damage restoration of Denville homes is cleaning the smoke and soot residues deposited on walls and ceilings. SERVPRO technicians use various cleaning methods on ceilings and walls depending on the type of surface and extent of the fire and smoke damage. 

SERVPRO technicians use both dry and wet cleaning to remove smoke and soot residues during fire damage restoration of your Denville home. While dry cleaning is used on non-washable surfaces, wet cleaning is a method of choice of SERVPRO techs to clean painted walls and ceilings. The most significant advantage of wet cleaning is that the water-based cleaning product has a decisive cleaning action and can cut through sticky and difficult-to-remove residues.  

How do SERVPRO Techs Clean Painted Walls During House Fire Cleanup in Denville?  

Many painted surfaces in your Denville home can be wet-cleaned by SERVPRO techs. The most common paints used in residential buildings include- 

• Water-Soluble Paints: These might have latex or vinyl plastic as a base and can be cleaned with water-based cleaning agents if the paint has been cured for at least 30-90 days. That said, as such paints tend to absorb smoke, they need to be pre-cleaned with a dry cleaning sponge before using wet cleaning. 
• Oil-soluble paints: Also known as enamels, these are commonly found on woodwork and trim. Gloss and semi-gloss paints fall under this category as well. Oil-soluble paints are much easier to wet-clean than water-soluble paints. 

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657 to consult with one of our experts regarding your restoration needs.  

Rockaway Residents Deserve Safe, Effective Water Damage Restoration

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

Moisture in your home is a task for SERVPRO. Our technicians will be onsite within 4 hours of the initial call.

SERVPRO Handles Water Damage with Proven Restoration Methods for Rockaway Locals

Excess moisture lurking in your Rockaway home can quickly turn into costly water damage repairs. If left to sit for too long, this moisture then turns into a mold and mildew problem. Beyond that, you also run the risk of stagnation and structural weakening. The best thing to do is call a skilled water restoration team to handle the problem right away before it turns into something more severe. Calling SERVPRO ensures you have a team at your door within hours, armed with experience, industrial-grade equipment, and proven processes for emergency services water damage remediation.

Calling SERVPRO for water damage restoration in Rockaway provides you with a 24-hour emergency response. We arrange dispatch of our Green Fleet to your door within hours to start the assessment and inspection. You can bet that we work as fast as possible to protect your interior from:

• Structural damage
• Water stagnation
• Microbial growth
• Mold development
• Onset of foul odors

We must establish efficient air circulation during water removal services so that we can keep relative humidity low. Proper circulation and strategic placement of equipment also help facilitate drying. In some instances, we may drill small holes that allow water to escape areas behind walls. Our technicians can pump warmed air into the cavities in events such as these to ensure drying both inside and out.

Water issues can be challenging to navigate as a DIY project. Whether you have ceiling leaks or a faulty appliance, you can trust our team to adjust our methods accordingly to help reach our goals. When materials are unsalvageable, we may perform controlled demolition to replace them with all-new materials. 

Call (973) 983-5657 to speak with a team member at SERVPRO of North Morris County. We are available for emergency response for all water damage restoration projects.

Mold Removal Companies Know Best When Helping Denville Businesses

7/30/2021 (Permalink)

When a water disaster strikes your building, SERVPRO should be the team to call. Our technicians are IICRC certified and trained for action.

Denville Business Owners Trust SERVPRO as a Top Choice When Looking for Mold Removal Companies

If you have had a storm come through and your Denville commercial property was in its path, you may have had some floodwater intrusion or ceiling leaks. Even if you have your janitorial crew begin water clean up, there is always the chance that moisture may get left behind in a few areas. Here is when you can run into problems that call for IICRC certified skilled technicians, and only the best mold specialists should be involved. SERVPRO is there when you need mold remediation and fast!

Simply repairing a damaged room and removing standing water will not do the trick. Mold removal companies in Denville, like our team at SERVPRO, take the time to handle black mold removal and complete inspections so that no stone is left unturned. 

What Can You Do After a Storm to Limit Mold Growth?

There are several things that our team wants every business to know when it comes to water damage and mold remediation, including:

• After a storm, ceiling damage, and water intrusion, it is best to have a crew address all standing water and potentially dangerous structural issues. 
• Entering a commercial building that has flooded means that mold could be present, which can cause potential health effects for you and your employees.
• Water and moisture should get cleaned up and dried within 24-48 hours. SERVPRO uses fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers to bring relative humidity down.
• All porous materials and surfaces must get inspected and cleaned or disposed of – all while carefully ensuring that mold spores do not get disturbed and become airborne.
• SERVPRO utilizes specialized cleaning agents and antimicrobials to sanitize and deodorize all impacted surfaces.

When it comes to mold removal companies, SERVPRO of North Morris County has you covered. Call us at (973) 983-5657, and we can send a team as quickly as possible.

Why Should Denville Residents Call Skilled Techs for Water Removal?

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

Some pipe bursts are not DIY projects. SERVPRO is here to help with all of your water damage restoration needs. Call now!

SERVPRO Handles Water Removal Quickly to Save You Time and Money in Denville! 

While DIY is great from time to time, you should never forget that failed water damage remediation can mean costly issues in the future. It is imperative that you remove all standing water but also pay attention to areas where moisture migrated. Calling skilled technicians to handle water removal services is the best way to get the results you deserve. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster here at SERVPRO, ensuring our customers get their property back to normal without issue.

Why Call SERVPRO for Burst Pipes or Basement Flooding?

Water removal in Denville handled by SERVPRO gets you a team of highly skilled and IICRC-certified technicians arriving at your door within hours of your call. Not only do our proven methods speak for themselves, but we also bring advanced technology and the latest water clean-up equipment to each project. Once we arrive at your home, you can expect us to:

• Perform a detailed inspection and emergency services water damage assessment. We look for signs of visible and hidden water damage during this walk-through so that everything gets addressed accordingly.
• Implement extraction and water removal services. Taking up any standing water is first and foremost, but we also have tools that help us remove moisture from upholstery, saturated porous surfaces, and behind walls or hard-to-reach spaces.
• Dry and dehumidify. Not only do we start to implement air circulations, drying, and dehumidifying equipment, but the team adjusts our methods as we go to help us reach our goals the fastest way possible. We also carefully monitor indoor air quality (IAQ) and relative humidity within your home.

SERVPRO of North Morris County is the team to call when you need water removal within your property. Call the office 24/7 at (973) 983-5657!

What Strategies Best Remove Flood Water from Denville Basements?

7/9/2021 (Permalink)

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

We Have an Assortment of Recovery Tools to Remove Standing Water in Denville Homes. 

Flooding requires fast and deliberate action to resolve. Because flood water can be so destructive to areas like the basement, and encourage secondary effects like mold growth, skilled restoration professionals like our SERVPRO team are ready to help 24/7.

Are There Multiple Extractors Available? 

Flood removal for Denville homes involves several extractors. Because the conditions of flooded areas in the house can vary substantially, having several water removal tools arriving on-site simultaneously is valuable for eliminating surface water concerns.

How Soon Can Debris Removal and Cleanup Start? 

After water removal occurs, our team can focus on eliminating any debris and muck present in the basement. Surfaces like masonry and concrete flooring can be coated with many foreign substances that require a wet vacuum and other cleaning methods to remove. Some threats include:

• Mud
• Silt
• Bacteria
• Organic matter
• Insects

Can Water Damage Repairs Happen Quickly? 

Repairs are often necessary to recover after flood damage, which makes the general contractor license of our SERVPRO team a valuable commodity. Because water penetration can be destructive to masonry and other construction elements used in the basement or foundation of the house, many repairs or even reconstruction needs exist to make flooding “Like it never even happened.”

Flooding can be a disastrous situation for area homes. Give our SERVPRO of North Morris County team a call today to help at (973) 983-5657.

How Does SERVPRO Manage Natural Flooding in Rockaway Homes?

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Our experienced SERVPRO teams are prepared to handle your flood damage day or night. Just give us a call.

From Extraction to Surface Cleaning, We Can Help Rockaway Properties After Disasters. 

Natural flooding can be a hazardous situation for homes in the area, primarily because of the contaminants and foreign debris carried into the property. However, with swift action to mitigate standing water and possible contamination, our SERVPRO team can help. We often begin this process by determining the best method for avoiding the further spread of water and contaminants.

Establishing Engineering Controls to Prevent Contamination Spread 

Preventing the spread of contaminants after flood damage in Rockaway homes is a critical process. Exposed bulk materials and building elements can be overwhelmed by pathogenic threats and wastewater, making the elimination of these threats crucial as well. Contaminants can be aerosolized by many of the flood restoration actions, so building containment protects unexposed areas of the house.

Water Removal and Debris Cleaning 

After flooding, removing standing water is a priority of our responding SERVPRO team. Considerations must be made with natural flooding situations to remove both the water and possible solids and debris present in the pooling. Some of the extraction devices used here include:

• Self-priming trash pumps
• Wet vacuums
• Truck-mount extractors with wands

Flood restoration involves many steps and stages, from containment to water removal. Our SERVPRO of North Morris County team can help however your property needs with our fast response and expertise. Give us a call today at (973) 983-5657.

Tracking Drying Progress of Water Restoration in Denville Homes

6/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO works to thoroughly dry out your home after a water incident. Call us after water strikes in your home.

Software like SERVPRO DryBook Keeps the Team Organized When Restoring Damaged Denville Properties. 

Drying and water removal are vital efforts in restoring water-damaged homes. Because there are multiple variables in the efficient drying of a property, careful evaluation of the progress can help.

How Does Documenting Drying Progress Help? 

When water cleanup in Denville homes must begin, drying is a considerable element of this phase. We have many tools like air movers and dehumidifiers to help in this process, but monitoring their progress and if these production values plateau ensures the most efficient solutions. Our proprietary software SERVPRO DryBook offers a range of helpful tools for the restorer and a forum to document the condition of materials and contents, and updates on the drying progress.

What Drying Changes Can Be Made? 

Based on the data collected through the software and the inspection from competent professionals like the production manager, changes can be made to bolster the efficiency and efficacy of drying practices. The evaluation of the progress identifies the suspected output and work production of each placed drying unit, allowing us to determine when specific actions are necessary, such as:

• Movement of active drying tools
• The decision to add more drying units
• The decision to add larger drying units

Our SERVPRO of North Morris County team has effective tools and strategies to complete this task, including our proprietary documentation software SERVPRO DryBook. Give us a call today at (973) 983-5657.

Fire Damage Restoration of Your Rockaway Home is a Job for the Professionals

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Morris County is always here especially with an unexpected fire damage.

Why is SERVPRO is One of the Most Trusted Fire Damage Restoration Companies in Rockaway?

Fire damage restoration of your Rockaway home is a complex process involving several steps. Any neglect during the house fire cleanup process can cause irreparable damage and worsen an already bad situation. SERVPRO technicians use their years of experience and expertise to meticulously plan and execute the restoration process to get your home to a state "Like it never even happened." 

SERVPRO restorers use scientific principles to clean the soot and smoke residue during fire damage restoration of your Rockaway home. We ensure that the methods we employ during the fire and smoke remediation don't cause any secondary damage. 

Cleaning Smoke and Soot Residue from Fire Damaged Homes in Rockaway

SERVPRO fire damage restoration experts use various cleaning products to remove the smoke and soot residue to restore your Rockaway home to the preloss condition. 

• Dry cleaning solvents: These are petroleum-based solvents used to clean draperies and fabrics that can't withstand wet cleaning agents. SERVPRO restorers use these commonly to clean lightly soiled fabrics during smoke remediation; these solvents can't be used for textiles with rubberized backing
• Volatile dry solvents: These solvents evaporate quickly, leaving no residue. Smoke, soot, and carbon particles suspend in these solvents and can be removed easily.
• Wood oil soaps: These are mild detergents and don't contain harsh alkalis. Wood oil soaps are ideal for cleaning light soot from finished wood surfaces. 
• Furniture polishes: They contain lemon oil, mink oil, and silicone that provide a combined action of cleaning, polishing, and wax protection 

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657, round the clock for fire damage restoration services in Rockaway.

Denville Homes Need Professional Water Removal Services

6/5/2021 (Permalink)

Do not panic if you have water damage, call SERVPRO of North Morris County we are ready to take over and help.

SERVPRO Helps to Keep Denville Homes Dry by Offering Premier Water Removal Services

You need professional equipment and skilled technicians for water removal from your Denville home, as unmitigated water damage can permanently damage your property. You might need SERVPRO's water removal services if you encounter-

• Burst pipes
• Ceiling leaks
• Basement flooding
• Sewer backup

Our trained and experienced restorers use state-of-the-art equipment to remove the water from your property as efficiently and as soon as possible. 

Water removal from your Denville home is one of the first activities SERVPRO professionals engage in after water damage. Standing water can seep deeper into the structure, causing serious secondary damage if it is not removed promptly. 

Water Extraction Equipment SERVPRO Techs Use During Water Damage Restoration of Your Denville Home

The type of equipment needed to extract water depends on the amount of water present on the property. SERVPRO technicians use a variety of pumps to remove water from your Denville property, including- 

• Self-priming trash pumps: These are powerful pumps that can remove water and suspended solids such as mud and sand during flood restoration. Usually powered by gas or diesel, these pumps can move 10,000 to 60,000 gallons of water per hour. We use these pumps for moving water horizontally and when a little lift is required. SERVPRO techs use these for water cleanup after a storm or hurricane from a single-story structure. 
• Electric submersible pumps: These are ideal for water removal from basements as they can offer a higher lift than trash pumps. These pumps operate on electricity and hence can be operated in occupied spaces as well.

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657 for a fast and efficient service.

How Can SERVPRO Help Rockaway Businesses in Flood Damage Restoration?

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

If your Rockaway business floods, call SERVPRO of North Morris County. We will not hesitate to jump into action.

Rockaway Businesses Turn to SERVPRO for Flood Damage Restoration of Their Establishments

Flood damage at your place of business in Rockaway can put a strain on your finances. Not only does it take money to restore the damage, but much time is also lost during the process as well. Flood restoration experts at SERVPRO work hard to help you get back into business as quickly as possible. 

Flood damage at your Rockaway commercial space can not only pose a threat to the structural integrity but may also cause odor issues. If the restorers do not mitigate the odor promptly, it can linger on for a long time, which is never good for a place of business. 

How do SERVPRO Techs Combat Odor During Flood Restoration in Rockaway Establishments 

SERVPRO's IICRC certified professionals use various methods to tackle odor issues after a flood damage incident at your Rockaway property. 

• Direct spraying: A deodorant is sprayed directly on the affected area using pumps during flood restoration. SERVPRO techs use this method if the affected area is small and odor is contained
• Wet fogging: We use Ultra Low Volume (ULV) foggers to dispense water or solvent-based deodorant after water cleanup. The instrument generates minute particles that can penetrate surfaces and neutralize odor-causing molecules.
• Thermal fogging: In this method, heat breaks up the solvent-based deodorant into smaller particles. As these particles are vaporized by heat, they can reach places that are difficult to reach by other methods. 

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County 24/7 at (973) 983-5657. 

SERVPRO Training Makes Denville Mold Removal Safe and Effective

5/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Morris County can show you why mold is nothing to play with in your Denville home. Call us today for assistance.

How the experience of veteran technicians means faster and better Denville mold removal

Mold contamination can be a severe problem for your home. Mold can spread around the house unless specific steps are taken.

Part of the reason why SERVPRO is considered a local mold removal expert in Denville is thanks to our ability to implement safety protocols. Between our industrial-strength equipment and our strict technician training regimen, we both stop the spread of mold and return the building to a safe and normal state. SERVPRO mold specialists receive training to:

• Establish “clean rooms” for decontamination
• Operate HEPA vacuums and air filtration devices
• Identify and remove dangerous black mold
• Install plastic sheets as barriers against spores
• Safely dispose of contaminated materials

Improper implementation of these measures can fail to stop the spread of mold. SERVPRO crews contain veteran mold damage technicians that know how to identify problems and fix them before consequences can occur. One common mistake made by newer personnel and corrected by our veterans is a gap in plastic sheeting. These gaps can allow spores to pass through and interfere with our creation of negative air pressure spaces. With experienced eyes on the lookout for mistakes, our interventions have become widely known for their efficacy.

SERVPRO of North Morris County can help with mold infestations of any size and severity. Call us at (973) 983-5657.

How We Target Our Denville Fire Damage Restoration Techniques

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

Even the smallest fire incident can cause large problems. Call SERVPRO of North Morris County to insure no further issues arise.

Complex Denville fire damage restoration problems require a bit of science to understand

Depending on where the fire and smoke damage travels in your home, SERVPRO technicians may need to focus on specific strategies. Figuring out where fire residues are most likely to accumulate requires a bit of science and a lot of experience.

At the beginning stages of a fire damage restoration project in Denville, a SERVPRO inspector deduces the places that are liable to accumulate more Smoke Damage. Our immediate priority is often an area that does not have much damage yet but may develop problems over time. For differing reasons, these areas may include:

• Ventilation
• Doors and windows
• Metal appliances

Early on, fire damaged homes typically have the most issues near the fire, on ceilings, and along the upper portions of walls. These patterns are due to the effects of rising heat and pressure. With time, however, some smoke residues may fall away and migrate to other areas. Ventilation naturally picks up and spreads airborne smoke particles across the home. Another important effect is the migration of hot material to cold surfaces. During and after the fire, hot smoke may seek out cooler parts of the home, including windows, doors, and metallic materials.

SERVPRO of North Morris County responds 24/7 to local calls for help with fire damage cleanup. Contact us at (973) 983-5657.

Rockaway Water Damage Repair May Involve Insulation

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage can go any and everywhere. Let SERVPRO of North Morris County help you through all obstacles.

The sooner you contact us for water damage repair in Rockaway, the more you save

The longer water damage lingers in your home, the more costly it becomes. One example of this effect is how insulating materials interact with moisture after ceiling leaks and other events. Wet insulation loses its ability to contain warmth, allowing expensive home heating to flow right out.

Our water damage repair projects in Rockaway do not always require attention towards the home’s insulation. SERVPRO inspectors and technicians assess the possibility of insulation damage through the use of moisture meters – devices that can tell whether or not the insulation has absorbed moisture without removing any wall materials. The SERVPRO inspector may suspect damage to insulation after:

• Burst pipes
• Leaking Roof from Storms
• Ceiling Repairs from Water Damages
• Flood damages
• Mold infestation

The type of insulation used in your home may influence our restoration techniques. For example, rockwool insulation often must be replaced since it contains metal that can oxidize when exposed to water, it can rust.. On the other hand, fiberglass can usually be dried out, professionally cleaned, and reinstalled back in the wall. Cellulose insulation may become vulnerable to mold and fire damage after being exposed to water, so the decision to restore or replace it may rest with your insurance adjuster. The cost versus replacement is a key factor in the determination of wet attic insulation following a water damaging event.

SERVPRO of North Morris County maintains 24/7 readiness to respond to water damage situations in the local area. Call us at (973) 983-5657.

Does SERVPRO Provide Emergency Storm Damage Remediation in Denville?

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Strong storms are a regular occurrence in our area. Should you experience storm and flood damage, call SERVPRO! We are always on call.

Can SERVPRO Help with Storm Damage Remediation in Denville?

Storms on the east coast can cause a great deal of damage. There can be broken windows, holes in your roof, and water surging through your home in severe flooding situations.

SERVPRO provides fast response and emergency storm damage remediation to Denville residents and business customers. If you have a leaking roof from storm damage, we can provide an emergency roof tarp. We can also board broken windows to prevent additional storm damage. We can help our neighbors deal with emergency water damage from storms.

Many business owners and residents may not realize that in addition to responding 24/7 to emergency calls, removing debris, water, contaminants, cleaning, and drying the structure, we also can help in many other ways. For example, we provide: 

• Temporary warehouse space to store contents and valuables to keep them safe and dry.
• We remove damaged drywall and install new drywall
• We repair floors – carpeting, tile, and hardwood that has been damaged

Our team of SERVPRO professionals aims to repair your home, “Like it never even happened.”

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County for storm damage services in Denville and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (973) 983-5657.

Does SERVPRO Provide Water Damage Restoration in Denville?

5/6/2021 (Permalink)

Take a peek inside our warehouse. This is just some of the equipment available to restore your water damaged home!

Can SERVPRO Help with Water Damage from a Leaking Pipe Inside a Wall in a Denville Home?

Leaky pipes can cause a tremendous amount of damage inside a wall, especially if the leak dribbles for an extended period and goes unnoticed. Eventually, water and moisture cause the drywall to become soft and crumble. Mold may develop on the drywall's interior and the structure leading to a strong, musty odor. The flooring material may also be wet if it is carpet flooring, and wood floors may begin to swell and buckle.

SERVPRO technicians can help locate the water source in your Denville home and with water damage restoration. If there is mold and if the floors have been damaged, the total amount of damage present will determine the scope of the restoration process required. We assess all of these issues. We show our clients what is needed and provide recommendations on how to proceed.

We may need to:

• Remove damaged structure, e.g., drywall materials.
• Make repairs to supporting studs.
• Remove moisture and dry the area.

Once everything is dry, SERVPRO can complete minor repairs such as drywall installation, flooring repair, and painting. SERVPRO aims to return your home to pre-water damage condition!

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County for Water damage services in Denville and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (973) 983-5657.

What Causes Most Fire Damage in Denville?

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Usually, not all is lost after a fire, We restored this fire damaged dresser and we can restore your belongings, too!

Most Fire Damage in Denville Results from Common Household Accidents

The most daunting aspect of house fires is that common household accidents often cause them. Simultaneously, this characteristic also makes them very preventable by simply maintaining a certain level of situational awareness and avoiding careless behavior.

SERVPRO, a Denville fire damage restoration company, routinely remediates fire damaged homes. Through their years of effectively performing house fire clean up and smoke remediation work, our skilled technicians have found that local residential fires often result from one of the following causes:

• Cooking mishaps, including out of control grease fires and other accidents occurring when cooking food is left unattended
• Smoking accidents that happen when residents fall asleep while smoking or otherwise drop a burning cigarette
• Improperly stored heater or cooker fuel
• Knocked over space heaters
• Dropped or overturned candles
• Children playing with matches, lighters, or gas/electric range burners

Fortunately, through vigilance and care, homeowners can usually avoid the house fire risk.

With all that said, if you ever do suffer fire damage, call your helpful neighborhood SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657.

What Is a Good Water Removal Service in Rockaway?

4/28/2021 (Permalink)

Malfunctioning appliances and leaking pipes can cause a lot of water damage. SERVPRO is equipped to restore your water damage needs.

SERVPRO is one of the Best Rockaway Water Removal Companies

Catastrophic water issues could impact your home at any time, without warning. They might result from any number of problems, ranging from leaks to appliance malfunctions. Regardless of what causes your water-related nightmares, you need help from trained remediators.

Whenever you need emergency water removal in Rockaway, SERVPRO is an excellent option. Not only do we use the most advanced water cleanup equipment available, but also our techs are among the most highly trained and accredited experts in the water damage remediation industry. Some of the specific certifications our professionals have are:

• Applied structural drying
• Water damage remediation
• Applied microbial remediation
• Carpet cleaning
• Upholstery and fabric cleaning
• Odor control

As you can see, SERVPRO is more than capable of successfully performing most water removal services and water damage repairs. More than that, we can often complete them more effectively and in less time than other local firms.

So, whenever you need water removal services, contact your neighbors at SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657 for help.

How Does Flood Damage Generally Impact Rockaway Residents?

4/21/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that floodwater contains contaminants? SERVPRO can safely remove the water.

Storms and the Flood Damage They Cause Affect Local Homeowners in Various Ways

On average, New Jersey tends to be a rainy state that experiences more than its share of flooding events. Our state is divided into two climatic zones and based its position on the East Coast. Rockaway itself sits nearly on the imaginary line where a hotter, more humid climate meets colder, drier northern weather. This meteorological clash, of course, produces volatility in the atmosphere and powerful rainstorms during the spring-summer and fall-winter seasonal changes. Then, throughout the year, the Garden State’s coastal position makes it susceptible to the unforgiving onslaught of tropical storms, hurricanes, and Nor’easters.

The Nature of Rainstorms in the Rockaway Area

As noted before, powerful rainstorms are a common occurrence in the Rockaway area and can occur at any time of the year. Moreover, they arise from cyclonic storms and result from the meeting of hot, humid air and cooler, drier air in this climate transition area. This situation generally happens when the seasons change, but sometimes can occur during periods of hot weather, and it produces strong thunderstorms and torrential downpours. As inches of rain rapidly accumulate, the Rockaway River that bisects the township often overflows its banks and sometimes inundates nearby homes and businesses.

Cyclonic Storms that Have Impacted This Part of New Jersey

More well-known are the numerous tropical storms, hurricanes, and Nor’easters that have devastated North Jersey. These violent natural disasters have blown roofs off local houses, inundated cars and homes in feet of floodwater, caused long-term water damage and mold-related issues, and cost this part of New Jersey billions of dollars over time. Some of the more notable of these destructive weather phenomena include:

• The Great Atlantic Hurricane of September 1944, which dumped between six and ten inches of rain on the Rockaway area over four days
• “The Storm of the Century,” a Nor’easter in November 1950 that brought strong winds and substantial flooding to North Jersey
• Hurricane Irene, an August 2011 storm that dropped around ten inches of rain on Rockaway and was particularly damaging to the township’s environs
• Superstorm Sandy, an October 2012 superstorm that caused billions of dollars of damages all across New Jersey

So, with all this in mind, always be prepared for flooding events and call SERVPRO of North Morris County at (973) 983-5657 whenever you need flood damage clean up.

What Kinds of Flood Damage Do Rockaway Residents Usually Suffer?

Unlike clean water, floodwaters do more substantial and immediate damage to the homes in which they come into contact. These waters are often polluted with everything from human and animal wastes to petroleum products and toxic chemicals. Some of the flood-related damages Rockaway homeowners most often experience are:

• Toxic floodwater deposits that require professional biohazard remediation
• Wastewater system backups that necessitate sewage cleanup services
• Basement flooding involving inches to feet of standing water
• Various kinds of microbial damage that requires expert water damage repairs
• Persistent and omnipresent flood-related odors that are neutralized by industrial-grade deodorization efforts

Regardless of what type of flood damage you experience, your neighborhood SERVPRO of North Morris County can help. Call us anytime at (973) 983-5657 for assistance.

How Can Mold Removal Get Started in Denville Homes? Ask SERVPRO.

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

Why is SERVPRO a premier mold remediation company in the Denville area? Just ask your neighbors.

Black mold remediation services can begin quickly for Denville properties

Attic mold and black mold remediation are common problems in Denville homes after moisture exposure. Post-storm and water leaks can leave unresolved damp pockets in the house to fuel mold growth from dormant spores.

What Are the Best Black Mold Removal Approaches?

Beginning black mold damage remediation in Denville homes follows intricate mold inspection phases to identify colonization and affected materials. Determining the extent of damage to hosting materials can be the deciding factor in the type of mold removal that our SERVPRO team attempts. Our skilled group of AMRT applied microbial remediation technicians have the advanced equipment and products to restore your property to its preloss condition. The choices vary based on the condition of affected porous organic matter, which can include:

• Surface sanding
• Antimicrobial cleaning
• Dry ice blasting
• Controlled demolition

Mold can be an insidious and devastating threat to your home or business. We have an experienced remediation team to help protect your property after these microorganisms spread. Give our SERVPRO of North Morris County team a call anytime at (973) 983-5657.

How Can SERVPRO Remove Water from Carpets in Denville Homes?

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO mitigates water damage to Denville carpeting with fast extraction using advanced equipment like this Rover

Trapped moisture can be problematic for Denville properties, but our extraction methods can help.

When water becomes trapped in high porosity materials like carpeting and drywall, the saturation can lead to deterioration and degradation to the point of needing controlled demolition. While we have a general contractor license to remove damaged materials and reconstruct these areas, SERVPRO works to avoid this if possible.

What Tools Work Best for Removing Water from Carpets in Denville?

Preventing water from reaching the padding and subflooring requires several immediate water damage restoration tactics in Denville homes. Specialty extractors force moisture to the surface through vacuuming and pressing padding and the carpet fibers against the stable underlayment of wood or concrete subflooring. Some of the tools used include:

• Carpet wands
• Weighted extractors
• Truck-mounted extractors
• Wet vacuums
• Rover riding water extraction units

Water damage restoration involves multiple steps and stages ranging from extraction to drying. Our SERVPRO of North Morris County team can help to prevent unnecessary tear-out with our fast response. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. Give us a call 24/7 at (973) 983-5657.

Does Cleaning Remove Smoke Damage in Rockaway Homes?

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Rockaway homeowners trust SERVPRO for comprehensive fire and smoke damage cleanup and restoration, "Like it never even happened."

House Fire Clean Up requires potent cleaning products and strategies in Rockaway properties.

Smoke damage can be one of the most hazardous post-fire effects for homeowners to contend with when extinguishment occurs. Air filtration can reduce circulating fire and soot damage particles, but often not before they impact exposed surfaces.

Are Soot and Smoke Damage a Challenging Obstacle in Rockaway Homes?

Fire and soot damage in Rockaway houses can be complicated and involved to remove, even with the advanced fire restoration practices that our SERVPRO team delivers. We provided proven (IICRC) The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification technicians. We rely most on a combination of trusted methods and products to loosen soiling on surfaces and oily residues. Lessening the severity of soot on building materials and contents can allow for more efficient smoke damage removal. Some of these cleaning practices include:

• Surface cleaning
• Soda blasting
• Solvents, both water, and oil-based
• Controlled demolition

Removing smoke, soot, and odors from homes is a priority for our SERVPRO of North Morris County team and we leave you with the feeling “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call for post-fire damage restoration today at (973) 983-5657.

Hotel Stays Open & Saves Money

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

Saving the Wallpaper

When the call came in that Tuesday evening, the Rockaway area hotel manager was understandably stressed out. The boiler from the fifth floor utility room had blown and water was going "everywhere".

It had migrated from the fifth floor, to the fourth and stopped it's travel on the third. All-in-all, there where nine rooms and two common hallways flooded.

The crew arrived in less than 90 minutes to start emergency services. Due to the construction of the hotel rooms, no tear out, only drying needed to be performed in them. However, the long, common hallway walls were soaked.

The manager was concerned that if the wet portion of the walls were cut, not only would there need to be repairs, but the ENTIRE hallway would need to be re-wallpapered.

As you can see by the picture, a little ingenuity alleviated those concerns. Most restoration companies would have just cut, but SERVPRO of North Morris County removed the trim and carefully peeled back the wallpaper, then pinned it up so as to dry the wall. Later, the wallpaper was re-attached.

The dry out was successful and repair costs were minimized leaving one happy hotel manager!

Winter Storm Alert - Be Prepared!

1/29/2021 (Permalink)

FEMA Winter Emergency Tips

We are gearing up for another possible winter storm with moderate to heavy snow accumulation here in Morris County and much of the Northeast.  We have all heard about getting and being prepared for winter storms.  Take a few moments now to review your home and vehicle emergency kits.  Do I need supplies?  Don’t wait until Sunday or Monday when it has already started snowing to panic shop!  Now is the time to get out there and replenish dwindling supplies of food, medications and any personal items you may need for yourself, your family and your pets. 

Keep checking up on the forecast so you know what to expect!

FEMA has a quick video with important reminders for snow related preparedness here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVpGJ_Xl__w&list=UUVrYey5SZMid_VZk9D8tYmA

Power outages are a frequent occurrence in our area during and after snow events.  If you haven’t already done so, add the JCP&L Power Outage Line contact information into your phone or go here:  https://www.firstenergycorp.com/outages_help/Report_Power_Outages.html

Set a reminder to charge up your devices and battery back-ups. 

Many local communities have Emergency Alert Systems.  To sign up for Alert Morris, our county’s emergency notification system, go here:  https://oem.morriscountynj.gov/alerts/

If you have no internet connection and need to reach Morris County Emergency hotline by phone:  Morris County Emergency Hotline Phone Number: 973-400-6611

If you are in need of food or shelter, go to the Red Cross site here:    https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html

If snow, ice, wind, rain, fire or smoke has damaged your home or business, call us: SERVPRO® of North Morris County 973-983-5657.  We are here to help!

Generator Safety Refresher

1/29/2021 (Permalink)

It's ok to store your generator in the garage, but NEVER operate it indoors, even in the garage!

Many homeowners rely on portable generators when the power goes out to keep the lights and heat on in the winter.  Safety is key when operating a generator.

If you have a generator on hand for power outages during severe weather, follow the safety tips below from the American Red Cross:

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space, or any partially enclosed area.

• To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles.

• Do not touch the generator with wet hands.

• Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide (CO) buildup in the home. Although CO can’t be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately.  If you experience severe symptoms, call 911.

• Install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home or property and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.

Avoiding Frozen Pipes

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

Some may find this a pretty sight: icicles forming in the cold weather. Icicles forming on outdoor faucets can cause costly damage inside your home.

Avoiding Frozen Pipes

The next week or so in North Morris County look to be the coldest of the winter season. The temperatures are expected to bottom out in the single digits.  When we start to see these sub-freezing temperatures, we need to take action.  If the water dripping from your roof becomes an icicle, what do you think the water in your exposed pipes is doing?

A few thoughts which could save homeowners a lot of money this winter:

1. WRAP THOSE PIPES - If you have exposed pipes, perhaps running through your garage or crawl space and you have not already done so, wrap them now with insulation to keep them as warm as possible. This may prevent frozen pipes as the temperature drops.
2. DRIP THE FAUCET – Do you have pipes adjacent to an outside wall? They may freeze leaving you with nothing coming out of the faucet. When you know it's going to be a sub-freezing night, open the faucet just enough to let the water drip. As long as the water is moving, your pipes should not freeze.
3. EMPTY THE PIPELINE - The closer the pipe to an outside faucet, the more likely it will freeze. Turn the water off leading to those outside faucets then open the faucet and let the water drain out.

Doing these few things may save you a lot of aggravation and expense down the line.  If you should experience frozen or burst pipes, turn the water off at the source and call SERVPRO® of North Morris County.  We have the experience and the certified team to handle water or any type of disaster.

Let's Talk Temporary Home Heating

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

What's wrong with this picture? There are flammable materials within the 3-foot perimeter of this electric heater!

The temperatures are below freezing and it’s downright chilly in here!  We don’t all live in super-efficient, temperature-perfect homes.  For some of the drafty rooms and spaces in our homes, we may be tempted to choose space heaters to chase the chill during these cold winter months.  If this is something you have thought about, or already have in use, a few words of caution are in order! 

According to the National Fire Prevention Association and based on 2014-2018 annual averages:

• Most home heating fire deaths (81%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
• The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (25%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
• Half of the home heating fire deaths were caused by having heating equipment to close too things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing mattresses or bedding.
• Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.

Source: NFPA Applied Research

Space heaters, wood stoves and fireplaces can, when used very prudently, be helpful in keeping our living spaces warm and toasty this winter.  Take the time to review the safety tips from the NFPA by downloading this tip sheet: 

https://www.nfpa.org//-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/Heating_Safety.pdf

The NFPA also has a video, which although it is dated, is nonetheless informative and somewhat amusing.  Check it out here:  https://youtu.be/5BqR4WNd3lA

Above all, don’t take you and your family’s safety for granted.  Review the cautions and stay safe and warm this season. 

If you should experience a fire or smoke in your home or business, gather your family, leave the premises immediately and call 911 from outside.  Then call SERVPRO® of North Morris County to assist you in returning your premises to pre loss condition.  We are available to serve you 24/7/365 @ 973-983-5657. 

Do Garage Roofs Matter?

10/7/2020 (Permalink)

Neglected roof leak leads to mold issue in a commercial garage.

When it comes down to business, many owners spend money where it counts and often neglect or overlook smaller matters, like the garage.  Perhaps the owner is the only one with access to the garage, or several select employees.  Who cares what the garage looks like?  The garage isn’t the money maker, but in many cases, it stores your fleet, your valuable construction equipment and possibly even materials for your next client.  The garage, and any storage area, is an important place in your business that requires regular inspection. 

In this particular instance, the garage roof of this small business had a leak.  Over time and neglect, it led to a larger leak that seeped in and damaged the roof which in turn damaged ceiling sheetrock.  When the staining became noticeable, the owner replaced a small bit of the sheetrock without addressing the water and moisture issue.  He had the roof repaired but neglected to dry out the ceiling cavity before replacing the sheetrock.  When the moisture in the cavity produced mold across the ceiling, the business owner knew it was time to call in the mold professionals at SERVPRO of North Morris County to mitigate the damage.

Roof leaks, no matter how small or insignificant they initially seem, can lead to big damage if they are not properly repaired in a timely manner. 

Signs of roof leaks:

• Staining on ceiling material in top floor rooms
• Water running down walls
• Audible dripping sounds behind the walls
• Wet roofing material seen from inside the attic

If you suspect a roof leak, call a professional to assess the source.  Call SERVPRO of North Morris County to assess the damage caused by a leaky roof.  We are here to help.

Emergency Preparedness for Your Business

10/6/2020 (Permalink)

The 2020 theme for National Preparedness Month is Disasters Don’t Wait.  Make Your Plan Today! 

This year, we have all been tested for our resilience and preparedness in the face of a national pandemic.  We have, no doubt, implemented safe practices for social distancing, keeping our indoor and outdoor areas clean and helping to stop or slow the spread of Covid-19.  We need to take these measures a step further if we have not already done so.  We need to set some time aside for the practices and preparedness exercises set forth during National Preparedness Month (NPM). It’s not too late! “Disasters happen” and can take place any time of year, not only devastating individuals and neighborhoods, but entire communities, including businesses of all sizes. Be Ready for Disasters. If you haven’t already done so, you can become prepared for a flood, fire or other weather-related disaster now by taking three simple steps: 

• Have a plan to stay in business;
• Encourage your employees to become ready;
• Protect your investment.

We must work together as a team to ensure that our families, businesses, places of worship, and neighborhoods are ready for any type of disaster that can potentially affect our local community.

At https://www.ready.gov/business companies like yours can find vital information on how to begin preparing or ensure that your organization is prepared and address your unique needs during an emergency situation. Set aside some time now because disasters don’t wait.  You can also contact us at SERVPRO® of North Morris County  973-983-5657 to find out more on how to be ready when disaster strikes with the SERVPRO® Emergency READY Program.

October and November Ice and Snow

9/30/2020 (Permalink)

Ice and snow storms in October and November are possible here in Northwest Morris County.  When overnight temperatures plummet and freeze warnings are posted, we are reminded that hazardous weather is ahead.  The calendar does not have to read “December” for an ice event.  We have already had overnight temperatures in the 30s.  Last November we experienced extensive property damage in our county from ice accumulating on trees that were still full of leaves.  The weight of the ice caused trees to crack and branches to fall, which in turn caused damage to property and personal injury.  As in any storm situation, preparedness is the key! 

• Before the leaves fall, assess tree and branch health, especially to those trees overhanging your home.
• Consult a professional to cut back dead branches and dead or unhealthy trees.
• Reassess your homeowners insurance - decide if you need additional riders for things like loss of food due to power failures
• Have an emergency evacuation plan in place and a “go bag” packed in case you need to speedily exit your home
• Download the SERVPRO™ App on your mobile device

Last but not least, add SERVPRO™ of North Morris County to your emergency contact list.  We will guide you through the process of restoring your property to preloss condition.  We will work with your insurance company.  We will treat your home as we would our own.  We are here for you, 24/7/365.

New Jersey Business Owners Assistance

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

On Friday, September 25^th, Governor Murphy extended the public health emergency in NJ due to COVID-19 by an additional 30 days.  You can view the declaration here:  https://d31hzlhk6di2h5.cloudfront.net/20200925/96/30/f2/77/f0a32b020de298aed2c63577/EO-186.pdf

If you are you a large or small employer in the State of NJ, and if you have not already opened your doors to your employees and the public, the State of NJ has strict guidance governing the rules of doing so.  Large corporations have many resources and individuals on staff, experienced in consulting in public health emergency situations.  Smaller business owners who may be struggling with the guidelines and uncertainty of re-opening, or staying open, must often pay outside consultants to help them make decisions in these changing times.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority ( NJEDA) is providing free consulting to help small and micro businesses in communities that have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this program, these businesses will receive expert advisory services and staff support to assist them in securing grants and loans and overcoming their current challenges, adapting, and preparing for long-term success after the pandemic ends.  To see if your business qualifies for this assistance, visit Business Consulting for COVID-19 Recovery Program:

https://faq.business.nj.gov/en/articles/4457768-what-is-the-business-consulting-for-covid-19-recovery-program-and-is-my-business-eligible

The State of NJ has many other programs in place to assist businesses, large and small, create plans and move forward.  Visit NJ’s Operational Reopening Resources page here:

https://business.nj.gov/pages/operational-reopening-resources

Guidance from the State also includes specifics on what guidelines must my business follow to be open?  They can be found here:  https://faq.business.nj.gov/en/articles/3820777-what-guidelines-must-my-business-follow-to-be-open

The current times require all businesses to rise to the challenges we have been presented in 2020.  At SERVPRO™of North Morris County, we are ready to assist you in keeping your workplace Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Call us at 973-983-5657 for a free estimate. 

Pumpkin Spice and the Dangers of Unattended Cooking

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

Always set a timer when cooking

Does your kitchen smell like pumpkin spice?  Do you have a fabulous recipe for pumpkin bread?  Is this post making you hungry?  Did you know that next week is Fire Prevention Week?  Have you ever experienced a fire in your kitchen? 

We are hoping the answer to all of the above is yes, with the exception of the last question.  No one wants to experience any size fire in their home.  An ounce of prevention, as the saying goes, is worth a pound of pumpkin spice.  Oh wait, it’s worth a pound of cure!! 

Cooking “ incidents”, let’s call them, are the leading cause of household fires in the US according to the National Fire Protection Association.  Most of these “incidents” are due to unattended cooking.  Homeowners who are distracted, busy or sleepy tend to walk away from the task at hand and that’s where the trouble starts.  Following the NFPA’s guidelines at all times can prevent a fire in your home. 

• Do Not walk away from the stove while grilling, frying, boiling or broiling
• Check often on foods that are baking or roasting
• Use a timer to remind you when the cooking time is through
• Do Not cook when you are sleepy or under the influence of alcohol
• Keep flammable materials away from the stove

For more tips on prevention, visit https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Preparedness/Fire-Prevention-Week

If you experience a kitchen fire, or any other type of fire in your residence or business, call us at SERVPRO™ of North Morris County anytime 973-983-5657! We are here to help!

The Science of Drying

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know there is actually a science behind the process of drying? Having the knowledge of psychrometrics is essential to restoring a water-damaged structure to its preloss condition. While your initial reaction may be to grab a few towels to mop up the mess and place a fan or two around the damaged area, SERVPRO of North Morris County is trained in the science of drying and follows strict industry approved standards to help lower the chances of any secondary damages.

If your home or business suffers a water damage, SERVPRO of North Morris County will:

1. Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet to help prevent secondary damage from happening.
2. Measure how much moisture is in wet materials and monitor whether the materials are drying properly.
3. Speed up Mother Nature by using professional drying equipment. What exactly does it mean to help “speed up Mother Nature”? A wet building can often dry naturally because the environment always seeks equilibrium. When materials are wet, moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the material–but only if the air is, indeed, drier. The only problem is, nature often takes too long and secondary damages may occur while the building is drying out.

SERVPRO of North Morris County has the tools and equipment to help Mother Nature along, including equipment to help dry hardwood floors, tough-to-reach spaces inside walls, and much more. We use state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and a proven scientific process to help speed the drying of your home or business.  We are certified by the IICRC!

The bottom line? SERVPRO of North Morris County has the training and equipment to help make water damage “Like it never even happened.”

The Right Equipment Matters

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Has your commercial structure stayed empty during the pandemic?  Have you been checking in on your business assets and property?  Any water damage is a potential cause of mold, possible structural damage and indoor air quality issues. 

The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. We have the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss.

When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. We will answer your call with fast action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of our tools:

-Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.

-Moisture Meters are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing us to monitor the drying process.

-Thermo-hygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, we can calculate and create an environment most conducive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.

-Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas.

-Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor-causing particles to deodorize structures, garments, automobiles and other places where cleaning cannot reach.

The bottom line? We have the training and equipment to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Carbon Monoxide Awareness

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Some of our clients in North Morris County and the surrounding area are being faced with a decision.  New gas utility lines are going in to older neighborhoods where natural gas service was not available until now.  A big decision, and a costly one, with possible energy savings for homeowners and business owners alike.  Doing your homework and learning all there is to know about gas service in your town is the first step.  Don't forget to get the advice of several licensed plumbers or heating contractors before deciding if this is right for you. 

A quick refresher on the dangers of carbon monoxide might be another piece of the puzzle in this decision.

You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels, it can kill a person in minutes. Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide (or CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels, like gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, and propane burn incompletely. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, each year more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning. It is estimated another 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to CO poisoning. All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning, with some groups— including unborn babies, infants and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems— being more susceptible to the effects of carbon monoxide.

An excess of CO, leading to CO poisoning, can result from faulty furnaces or other heating appliances, portable generators, water heaters, clothes dryers or idling cars left running in garages. Taking some basic, precautionary steps can help eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Protect yourself by reviewing the following tips provided by the United States Fire Administration.

• Have fuel-burning appliances, like oil and gas furnaces, gas or kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves inspected by a trained professional every year.

• Open the damper for proper ventilation before using a fireplace. Never use your oven or stove-top to heat your home.

• Make sure all fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid CO poisoning. Keep the venting for exhaust clear and unblocked.

• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Never run a vehicle or other fueling engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not blocked with snow, ice, or other materials.

• Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow and other debris.

• Only use barbecue grills outside, away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings. Some grills can produce CO gas. Never use grills inside the home or the garage, even if the doors are open.

• Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the home.

Replenish Those Emergency Kits!

6/26/2020 (Permalink)

If these past months of 2020 have taught us anything, it’s this:  Be Prepared!  Be prepared for anything.  With Hurricane Season off to a quick and busy start, it is essential that we be prepared for weather-related disasters that could disrupt our daily lives.   If we had a home emergency kit prepared, we may have depleted some of those staples due to stores being closed, supplies being scarce and sheer necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Now that the economy is beginning to open again and supplies are starting to get easier to acquire, we need to replenish our home emergency kits and perhaps consider a few other types of emergency kits so we can be ready in any emergency. 

First consider what types of emergencies you may encounter.

• Sheltering at home or quarantine, as we have been experiencing with COVID-19, requires a well-stocked home emergency kit with the typical supplies and additional food and personal items, since the store shelves were nearly empty in Morris County. For a list of stay at home emergency supplies for your family home kit, visit FEMA.gov here:  https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1584362227817-a2800c83ada65c68cdaaa34d7f7729e0/checklist.pdf You may have to adjust this list according to your own personal needs and those of your family.

• Evacuating your home. If you live in a flood prone area or experience a hurricane or wildfire, you may need to leave with only a few minutes notice.  In this case you would need a Bug-Out-Bag (BOB).  Everything you need packed in a backpack, duffel bag or even plastic totes which are stored near the door for a quick exit.  This typically includes the supplies mentioned above, as well as a change of clothing, important insurance documents, and some additional items.  The American Red Cross has some suggestions here:  https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html

• Evacuating your office or place of business. A backpack that would contain the essentials to get you home in case of a larger emergency that disrupts transportation.  Consider these items:  water bottles, enough to stay hydrated if you have to walk home; sneakers or sturdy shoes; a change of clothes; cash; N-95 mask; small first aid kit; nuts or nutrition bars. This bag could be kept under your desk or in your vehicle. 

No matter what the situation requires, being prepared and having a plan will help us stay calm and focused.  If your home or business suffers any type of disaster, we are here to help. 

Call us anytime, 24/7/365 @ 973-983-5657. SERVPRO® of North Morris County is prepared to assist you to make it "Like it never even happened."

National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2020

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 3-9, 2020

The First Week of May is set aside for National Hurricane Preparedness Week.  The Atlantic Basin’s typical Hurricane Season begins on June 1^st and runs through November.  However, A tropical cyclone can occur at any time.  Mother Nature doesn’t always obey the calendar!

This season’s forecast was released this month by researchers at Colorado State University. The outlook calls for a total of 16 named storms during the Atlantic hurricane season. Of those, researchers expect eight to become hurricanes and four to reach major hurricane strength.

National Hurricane Preparedness Week is the perfect time to talk about hurricanes, although some of the activities set forth for this week may be subject to the latest health and safety guidelines from the CDC and our local officials.

The main outline for Preparedness Week:

• Determine Your Risk
• Develop and Evacuation Plan
• Assemble Disaster Supplies
• Get an Insurance Check-up
• Strengthen Your Home
• Help Your Neighbor
• Write Out Your Plan

It’s never too early to be prepared!  Take some time this week, before hurricane season, to make a plan!

For a personalized Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) for your business, call SERVPRO of North Morris County at 973-983-5657.

For additional resources, visit the National Weather Service website:  https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness

To visit FEMA’s Make a Plan site: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan

Heavy Rainfall and Flash Floods

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

Northwestern New Jersey, including Morris County, are currently under a Flood Watch due to heavy rain expected to drop 1.5 to 3 inches of precipitation that may cause flooding. With so many rivers, lakes and streams in our area that have a tendency to flood, it is important to take heed of these warnings.   Do you know the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning?  Educate yourself on the facts and be prepared!

According to the National Weather Service:

Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

Flood Watch: Be Prepared: A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Flood Advisory: Be Aware: A Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

For additional information, visit the National Weather Service here:  https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-watch-warning

As always, if your property is damaged by a flood, call SERVPRO of North Morris County.  We are ready to help!

Is Your Property Flood Safe?

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

Perhaps you think you have heard it all before.  Flood warning, flood watch, flood insurance, blah, blah, blah.  I don’t live near the ocean, a river or stream and my property is on high ground so I don’t have to worry!  Is this really true?  I thought so as well, until I moved into a house that is mid-way down a hill.  My house has no sump pump, the water table is not high here, and there is no evidence of past water intrusion.  So, we’re good, right?

Wrong!

Along comes a damaging, heavy rain.  All of the drain water from properties above mine comes racing down the hill.  The municipal drain at the top of driveway gets quickly blocked with leaves, sticks and other debris that came down with the raging torrent.  I hear what sounds like rushing water in my lower level.  Little did I know that the water that could not empty down the drain has flowed down my driveway and breached the garage.  As I open the inside door leading to the garage from the house to discover the source of the noise, there is resistance.  I push harder.  Big Mistake!!  Once the door has opened just slightly, the force of the water opens it the rest of the way and that water is now entering my house and flooding down the stairs.  I quickly get help to get that door closed, but not before a lot of water has soaked floors, carpets and a few inches of sheetrock in the hallway. 

I grab boots, a rain slicker and a shovel and head to the top of the driveway to clear out the drain.  I am able to clear enough of it with help from a neighbor so that the water is no longer flooding down my driveway, but is now going through proper channels into the drain pipes.  I head back into the house to assess the damage.

At least I was home and able to stop the water with minimum damage done.  But there was damage done.  I don’t have flood insurance, and the water came in from an outside source.  My homeowner’s policy did not cover it. 

Make no mistake.  Ground water is not “clean water” by any stretch of the imagination  It has traveled over yards treated with chemicals for weed and pest control, yards polluted by animal waste and garbage left on the roadside by careless passersby, not to mention possibly sewage.  This was now what sat in my lower level.  I had to make plans to have the damage remediated.  I wish I had known about SERVPRO back then! I wish my insurance company had recommended them!

After having the house dried out and repaired, I also had to make a plan to prevent this from ever happening again.  Long term solutions included getting the town involved to install proper drainage on the street and under the street.  However, since these drains can still fail due to leaves and branches and even basketballs getting lodged in the openings, I also installed a back-up drain at the bottom of the driveway and a small drain in the middle of the garage floor.    I have not had a water instrusion since, and am holding out hope that with due vigilance, it won’t. 

To that end, when I become aware of heavy rain in the forecast, I don’t fail to prepare my property. 

You can too by following the advice of FEMA:

Clear drains, gutters, and downspouts

Relocate furniture, appliances, and rugs to higher areas in the home where flood water is less likely to reach.

Inspect your sump pump and be sure it is in working order

If you live in a flood-prone area, consider the following:

Install an interior or exterior backflow valve to prevent sewage back up.

Redirect flood water away from your home by changing the grade of your yard.

Install typical basement units, such as furnaces and water heaters, on elevated platforms.

Obtain flood insurance if possible. Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies. 

If you experience property loss or damage due to a flood, or for any other reason, call the professional team at SERVPRO of North Morris County.  We are ready to help you get your home back “Like it never even happened.”

Wildfire Community Awareness Day

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

May 2, 2020 was set aside as Wildfire Community Preparedness Day.  Due to the social distancing restrictions set forth by Governor Murphy to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections, any community events will not take place at this time   However, this is still a good time for your family to plan and execute a homeowners property protection plan for the outside of your home.

Living amidst forests which are a source of natural beauty, we must also be aware of its danger, specifically the danger of wildfires that can spread quickly and without warning.    According to Smokey the Bear, ignited embers from a wildfire can travel a mile or further.

Just as in any type of community disaster or emergency, preparedness is the key to preventing loss of life and property.

The National Fire Protection Association has a short, informational video on simple ways to create a fire free zone starting at 0 to 5 feet from your home and expanding out 100 feet where applicable.  Many of these procedures can be accomplished by homeowners or landscapers and other professionals.  These best practices will help   To access this video, go to their website here: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA

For additional information and Wildfire Safety Tips, visit: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Wildfire/Wildfire-safety-tips

Water Emergency in the Office

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

We’ve all been there.  Upon entering the restroom at the office, or our favorite department store or restaurant, or any other place frequented by the public, we notice dripping , stuffed and sometimes overflowing toilets, and faucets that have been left running:  a perfect set-up for the disaster scenario your employers have always warned you about.  Each one of these scenes can lead to hazardous, contaminated water damage.  As business owners or managers, we know that water intrusion can add up quickly not only in terms of damage to our property and contents,  but also in terms of revenue lost if we must close our doors while the remediation work takes place.

At SERVPRO of North Morris County, we have IICRC Certified technicians who are trained and experienced in state-of-the-art responses to any type of water damage, whether it be sewage, drainage, or storm.  Our team has responded to water emergencies from simple accidents such as an employee leaving a coffee mug covering the drain, filling with hot water in the break room over the weekend causing the entire office and the one below it to flood; to major disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and its effects in our own area on homeowners and businesses.

A Few Simple Tips

Add these to your protocol for a manager or employee each evening at closing:

Check Breakroom faucets, refrigerators and water coolers for any signs of water leaks. Be sure all faucets are in the off position.

Check Bathroom faucets and toilets to be sure they are not running water. If you hear water running, there must be an explanation for it.

Know where your shut-off valves are (for both sinks and toilets). A quick-acting manager or employee can minimize damage by cutting it off at the source.

Water damage can happen anywhere at any time.  For an in-depth consultation and Emergency Ready Profile® (ERP) analysis for your business, please call us! SERVPRO of North Morris County is available 24/7 365 days a year.  Give us a call at 973-983-5657.  We are Here to Help!!

High Wind and Sump Pump Failure

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

Perhaps you live in an area with a high water table, and your sump pump is working regularly to keep the water out.  Here in Morris County we have had high wind warnings several times over the past few weeks causing limb damage to surrounding trees.  The high winds did not accompany heavy rain, but just a few hours without electricity can mean disaster for your home if you depend upon a sump pump.   

Unless your sump pump is backed up by a battery or generator, it will not pump water out from under your foundation when there is a power outage.  Without the pump operating, you may experience water seeping into your basement through the foundation.  No problem, you think.  I have homeowner’s insurance, that will cover it, you reason to yourself.  Not necessarily.

At SERVPRO of North Morris County, we have been called by countless neighbors and friends who have experienced water intrusion into their home due to sump pump failure.  After assessing the damage and speaking with their insurance company, we have had to break the bad news to them that this situation is not considered a covered loss and they will have to pay for it out-of-pocket! 

Homeowners insurance typically does not cover seepage or any other water emergency that is caused by nature unless you have a flood policy or a rider for your sump pump.  There is a dollar-value limit on this coverage.  Don’t be caught unaware.  Check your policy and make the necessary adjustments.

Sump pump owners beware!  If you have a back-up plan in case of a power outage, good for you!  If not, it would serve you well to remedy that now, before disaster strikes.  Being ready for a storm emergency brings peace of mind. 

Why Do I Still Smell Smoke?

4/8/2020 (Permalink)

Even a small fire can cause odors for years to come if the affected areas are not properly cleaned and deodorized. Fire, smoke, and soot damage in your home or business can create unpleasant and potentially permanent problems.
As various materials burn, smoke produced travels throughout your home or business leaving odorous residues and deposits on surfaces and out of the way places. Unless fast, professional action is taken, these residues and deposits can cause permanent damage to contents and may result in resurfacing odors.
With technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), SERVPRO® of North Morris County professionals provide specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO® professionals do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out and remove the source of the odor. Once the source is found, SERVPRO’s own proprietary line of cleaning products is used to treat and prevent the odor from returning. Any restorable item in affected areas will also be professionally cleaned and deodorized, including furniture, draperies and upholstery, electronics, art, flooring, walls, ceilings, HVAC air ducts and more.
The Team at SERVPRO® of North Morris County will explain the various deodorization methods available and which one will work best for you.
If you or one of your customers suffer a fire damage or some other accident and require deodorization services, call us: SERVPRO® of North Morris County 973-983-5657.
If your home or office has a stubborn odor that refuses to go away, we’ll help make it “Like it never even
happened.”

Bookmark Us on Your Mobile Device!

4/8/2020 (Permalink)

When fire or water damage puts the things that matter most on the line, you need the very best help on the line as well. That’s why knowing the easiest ways to contact SERVPRO® of North Morris County is so important.

Just go to https://www.SERVPROnorthmorriscounty.com/on your mobile phone or call 973-983-5657 to get the team that’s faster to any size disaster.

We’re a leader in giving control back to homeowners, property managers, and even entire communities after the ravaging effects of water or fire. So whether you’re responsible for 1,000 square feet or 100,000 –

Be ready for the worst with the very best: Your trusted, local SERVPRO® franchise professional at SERVPRO® of North Morris County! Bookmark us on your mobile device today!

Be Prepared for Disasters - Shelter

4/8/2020 (Permalink)

In this period of sheltering at home, many of us have extra time on our hands.  This is the perfect time to organize a family emergency plan if we haven’t already done so.  According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), these are the first 4 steps that need to be addressed:

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
2. What is my shelter plan?
3. What is my evacuation route?
4. What is my family/household communication plan?

In last week’s blog, we covered Wireless Emergency Alerts.  Click here for that blog in case you missed it: https://www.SERVPROnorthmorriscounty.com/blog#207704. 

Today we will cover the shelter plan. Here are the basics:

Stay at Home .  During the current pandemic, we are being advised to stay at home to reduce transmission of the virus and flatten the curve of serious illnesses that could all at once inundate our healthcare system.  Stay at home means to remain in our home or on our outside spaces like decks, patios, and in our yards.  If we decide to take walks, ride bikes or venture out into the community for an essential reason, we must practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from others. 

Mass Care.  This typically includes Red Cross and other community shelters that are opened during weather-related disasters.  If you need assistance finding a shelter in your area, go here:  https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ and bookmark it on your phone or ipad for quick reference.

Sheltering in Place.  This can happen anywhere:  your home, your office, your school.  You get the idea.  Click here for specific instructions on how to seal your space in case of an air quality disaster:  https://www.ready.gov/shelter

Having the necessary information and emergency kit ready and available before a disaster occurs is the key to a low stress plan.  You can access all of this information and more here:  https://www.ready.gov/plan

Be ready, and be well!

Family Communication Plan

4/8/2020 (Permalink)

In our last blog we talked about emergency preparedness and shelter.  Today we will move on to Family Communication Plans. 

Here are the basics, according to Department of Homeland Security.

Collect emergency contact information for every member of your family and print a copy for purses, wallets and backpacks just in case there is no telephone or wireless communication available.  Include phone numbers for your doctors, schools and service providers.  Distribute a copy to each family member.

Share by distributing a copy to each family member.  If you feel comfortable uploading the information to ready.gov, you can get a wallet-sized printable card for everyone in your household.  Go here:  ready.gov/make-a-plan

Practice.  Have regular family meetings to practice your communication plan.  No one need panic in any disaster if you already know what to do! 

For additional information and instructions, visit https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/create-your-family-emergency-communication-plan.pdf

Wireless Emergency Alerts

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

At any time, but especially in a time of uncertainty on the local or national level, it is of utmost importance that we receive pertinent information in a timely manner.  Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are free notifications delivered to your mobile device as part of a public safety system provided by authorized government-alerting authorities. The alerts are designed to inform you of imminent threats to safety or missing persons alerts in your area (e.g., AMBER Alerts). Government partners include local and state public safety agencies, FEMA, the FCC, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Weather Service. A WEA can be sent to your mobile device when you may be in harm’s way, without downloading an app or subscribing to a service. WEAs may be used to share extreme weather warnings, local emergencies requiring evacuation or immediate action, AMBER Alerts, and Presidential Alerts during a national emergency.

A WEA will look like a text message. The WEA message will typically show the type and time of the alert, any action you should take, and the agency issuing the alert. The message will be no more than 90 characters. Visit: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/wireless-emergency-alerts-wea for additional information about these alerts.

In Morris County, we have a unique emergency alert system with pertinent emergency information for our local community.  The Morris County Office of Emergency Management  has moved to a new emergency alert program called AlertMorris.  You can receive alerts by phone, text, email or social media (or all).  If you were on the older system, called Everbridge, your information should automatically have been moved to the new system.  However, please re-register with AlertMorris to be sure you are receiving all pertinent alerts.

For more information and to sign up for Morris County Emergency Alerts click here:

https://oem.morriscountynj.gov/alerts/

To access social media alert information for your specific town in Morris County go here:

https://morriscountynj.gov/about/municipalities/

We are Cleaning Experts

3/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus.

Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of North Morris County 973-983-5657

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F

%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

Water Emergency?

3/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Morris County is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of property damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 973-983-5657

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of North Morris County has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.  We are also experienced in assisting you with your insurance claim.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Team Member will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of North Morris County

SERVPRO of North Morris County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Flooding - A Very Common Occurence

3/19/2020 (Permalink)

According to the National Weather Service (NOAA), “Approximately seventy-five percent of all Presidential disaster declarations are associated with flooding.” NOAA lists the most common flood hazards in the United States as:

• Flash Flooding
• River Flooding
• Storm Surge and Coastal Inundation from Tropical and Non-Tropical Systems
• Burn Scars/Debris Flows (Caused by Wildfires)
• Ice/Debris Jams
• Snowmelt
• Dry Wash (Caused by heavy rainfall in dry areas)
• Dam Breaks/Levee Failure

Floods are one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. Whether your home or business is near a coastline, near a river, or even in the desert, there is always potential for flood damage. Fema.gov reports in the last five years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods.

Just because you haven’t experienced a flood in the past does not mean you won’t in the future. In fact, nearly 20% of all flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low risk areas, and even just one inch of flood damage in an average home can cost you up to $27,000 worth in damages.

According to the American Red Cross, floods cause more damage in the U.S. every year than any other weather related disaster.

The American Red Cross offers the following flood safety tips.

• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around, and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off your feet.
• If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.

If a flood does strike your home or business, contact SERVPRO® of North Morris County  franchise professionals. Even minor floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure when not treated quickly and properly, and the cleanup is often an overwhelming task. SERVPRO® of North Morris County’s team is prepared to handle any size disaster. When fire and water take control of your life, SERVPRO® will help you take it back.

Rapid Fire and Smoke Damage Response

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

Have you suffered a fire or smoke emergency in your home or business?  The first 48 hours after a fire can make the difference between restoring versus replacing damaged property and personal belongings. Rapid response and timely mitigation can help prevent fire damage from creating long-term problems.

We understand returning to normal is your primary concern. SERVPRO of NORTH MORRIS COUNTY response teams are trained in caring for both you and your property. By responding quickly with a full line of fire cleanup and restoration services, we can help you get your home or business back up and running quickly and help protect your property and belongings. If your home or business suffers fire damage, call us at 973-983-5657 to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Think that Fire is Out? Guess Again!

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

Even a small, remaining ember can re-ignite a fire!

Ready to retire for the night?  Think that the fire is out? Guess again!  A homeowner in our neighborhood scooped the ashes out of his fireplace before bedtime and stored them in the garage in a garbage bin.  Within hours, the garage was engulfed.  Thankfully he and his family were able to escape because the smoke detectors in his home were operational.

Fireplace coals can remain hot enough to start a fire for up to three days, always wait before removing the ashes.  When you are sure no embers remain, use the metal shovel that comes with most fireplace tool sets and scoop the ashes into a metal container.  Never use a vacuum to clean up ashes, because live coals may remain in those ashes.  Store the container far from combustible materials, preferably outside.  Place the ashes in the trash on pick-up day to reduce any further fire risk.

You Need To Handle The Situation

1/27/2020 (Permalink)

As an insurance professional, when they have water damage, your policyholder or property owner looks to you to handle the situation. You collect information and provide reassurance everything will be returned to normal. We understand your priority is helping restore the property and the insured’s or owner’s peace of mind, while minimizing the loss on a claim

The first 24 hours following a water incident are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within four hours of loss notification, we will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled properly by completing the following steps.

Inspection

We will inspect affected areas of the property to determine the extent of damage. They will also review the inspection with you, your insured, or property manager and answer any questions before beginning work.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Next, we will take immediate steps to protect the home or property and personal belongings from further damage by extracting the excess water and preparing for drying. They will explain in detail the needed emergency services step-by-step.

MONITORING 

To help ensure your insured’s or owners home and personal belongings, or property are dried to appropriate industry standards, we will monitor the drying process. The results will be consistently communicated to you throughout the monitoring process.

RESTORATION SERVICES

We will replace structural materials such as drywall and baseboards, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of the property and belongings. A final walk-through of the jobsite will be conducted with you, your insured, or owner to help ensure their property was returned to preloss condition when possible.

When Temperatures Plummet

1/27/2020 (Permalink)

When a winter storm or disaster strikes, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team is poised and “Ready for whatever happens.” With a network of more than 1,700 Franchises, the SERVPRO System strives to be faster to any size disaster. Strategically located throughout the United States, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team is trained and equipped to handle the largest storms and highest flood waters.

Providing experience, manpower, equipment, and other resources, the Disaster Recovery Team assists SERVPRO of North Morris County. SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team has responded to hundreds of disaster events. In the aftermath of a disaster, there is only one objective, to help you make it “Like it never even happened.” 

The 2015 Siberian Express saw record sub-zero temperatures caused major problems for a large portion of the country stretching from Florida to Maine. The Midwest also experienced record-breaking low temperatures, resulting in frozen pipes and ice dams causing major problems for residents. The Storm Team dispatched a total of 257 crews from 108 Franchises to assist local SERVPRO Franchises, completing nearly 2,000 jobs.

The 2014 Polar Vortex saw record low temperatures caused by a break in the North Pole’s polar vortex resulted in an unprecedented freezing event, spanning from east of the Rocky Mountains to as far south as Central Florida, affecting all or part of 39 states and 70 percent of the SERVPRO Franchise System.

We're not out of the winter yet. When frozen pipes cause havoc in your life, call SERVPRO of North Morris County

We Have The Expertise

1/22/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of NORTH Morris County is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of NORTH Morris County

SERVPRO of NORTH Morris County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your home or business

IF A DISASTER STRIKES, WILL YOUR BUSINESS BE READY?

10/7/2019 (Permalink)

October can be scary, and not only if you are in the Halloween business!  Halloween is on the 31^st, so social media, the news, retail businesses, and horror movies are all filled with pumpkins, spice and ghosts.  For business and homeowners alike, the “Ghost of Halloween Past” conjures up images of  the freak October snowstorm experienced by all of us in North Morris County not all that long ago.  Most business owners in the area were hit hard by hurricane Irene in 2011, and then right on its tail came the 2011 Halloween nor'easter which we all, no doubt, remember.  “Shocktober” was a large low pressure area that produced unusually early snowfall across the northeastern United States and the Canadian Maritimes.  As it moved up the East Coast, its associated snowfall broke records in at least 20 cities for total accumulations, resulting in a rare "white Halloween" two days later.

The storm arrived just two months after Hurricane Irene caused extensive power outages and property damage in the Northeast. It dumped snow on trees that were often still in leaf, adding extra weight, with the ground in some areas still soft from a preceding warm, rainy period that increased the possibility trees could be uprooted. Trees and branches that collapsed caused considerable damage, particularly to power lines, with estimates of storm costs ranging between $1 billion and $3 billion. In all, 3.2 million U.S. residences and businesses [7] in 12 states experienced power outages, with the storm also impacting three Canadian provinces. [1]

Many homes and businesses in North Morris County and surrounding areas were without power for a week!  Let this serve as a reminder to us all that we can experience severe weather every month of the year causing disruption to business and home life. This is no time to let our guard down when it comes to disaster preparedness.  Consider  the following steps to better prepare for an emergency situation.

• Sign up for local alerts and warnings, download apps, and/or check access for wireless emergency alerts.

• Develop and test emergency communication plans.

• Assemble or update emergency supplies.

• Learn about local hazards, and conduct a drill to practice emergency response actions.

• Participate in a preparedness discussion, training, or class.

• Collect and safeguard critical documents.

• Plan with neighboring businesses to help each other and share resources.

• Document property and obtain appropriate insurance for relevant hazards.

• Improve property to reduce potential injury and property damage.

SERVPRO of North Morris County is prepared!

[1] Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Halloween_nor%27easter

Tornadoes in New Jersey?

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

Being prepared for a tornado is something we, in North Morris County, have rarely had to think about.  Although tornadoes are rare in NJ, as of August this year there have been 8 recorded tornadoes in the state.  A tornado can be a stressful and scary situation.  Knowing what to do, as in any other weather emergency, is important and can help protect you and your family. 

The following tips are courtesy of the CDC.gov

Some tornadoes strike rapidly, without time for a tornado warning, and sometimes without a thunderstorm in the vicinity. When you are watching for rapidly emerging tornadoes, it is important to know that you cannot depend on seeing a funnel: clouds or rain may block your view.

These weather signs may mean that a tornado is approaching:

A dark or green-colored sky

A large, dark, low-lying cloud

Large hail

A loud roar that sounds like a freight train

If you notice any of these weather conditions, take cover immediately, and keep tuned to local radio and TV stations or to a NOAA weather radioExternal.

REMEMBER:  If severe weather does hit; SERVPRO of North Morris County is ready 24/7 to help you to regain control of your life!  Please call us at 973-983-5657 or visit us at http://www.SERVPROnorthmorriscounty.com/.

For additional information, visit the CDC’s website at:  https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/tornadoes/index.html

We Monitor The Moisture

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

Even small water damages at your office have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time.

The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. We have the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss.

When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. We will answer your call with fast action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of our tools:

-Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.

-Moisture Meters are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing usto monitor the drying process.

-Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, we can calculate and create an environment most conducive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.

The bottom line? We have the training and equipment to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Choosing A Fire Extinguisher

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

It is important that when choosing a fire extinguisher, you know which one to select. Here's a brief breakdown:

Class A: This is the most common extinguisher and can be used to put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as cloth, wood, rubber, paper and many plastics.

Class B: Used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline and oil.

Class C: Designed for fires involving appliances, tools, or other equipment electrically energized or plugged in.

Class D: For use on flammable metals; often specific for the type of metal in question. These are typically found only in factories working with these metals.

Class K: Intended for use on fires that involve vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats in cooking appliances. These extinguishers are generally found in commercial kitchens, but are becoming more popular in the residential market for use in kitchens.

FASTER TO ANY SIZE DISASTER

8/23/2019 (Permalink)

There’s no such thing as a small disaster—especially when the water you don’t see contains bacteria or can cause mold, rot, and other unseen damage. Water damage can affect the value of your property. Before you get out the mop bucket and try to clean it yourself, consider how the damage can affect your commercial property.

We know how disruptive water damage can be for your business. Our team is trained and equipped to manage the drying process from start to finish. By utilizing the proper equipment and moisture measuring devices, your commercial building will be quickly and thoroughly dried to industry standards, which will help prevent secondary damages! With rapid response time and a full line of water cleanup and restoration services, we can help you regain control quickly, by helping to ensure your facility and its contents are properly dried, deodorized and protected.

Before you risk further damaging the value of your commercial facility by attempting to clean the mess yourself, call SERVPRO.

Hurricane Season Safety Tips

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

Hurricane season started June 1st, so before it's too late, this may be a good time to review some safety tips.

1. If you live in a high wind or hurricane-prone area and do not have tested and code-approved shutters for protection from windborne debris, consider temporarily protecting your doors and windows by mounting exterior grade, 7/16" minimum thickness plywood and fastening it into place. Visit www.flash.org for detailed instructions on how to use plywood for emergency board-up.

2. Consider building or retrofitting to create a tornado-safe room in your home. Follow ICC/ NSSA 500 Standard for detailed construction information and to ensure you achieve the highest level of protection for your family.

3. In wildfire prone areas, remove fine (dead grass, leaves, etc.) and coarse (dead twigs, branches, etc.) fuels within 30 feet of a building to create a survivable space in case of wildfire. Be sure to remove dry leaf and pine litter from roofs, rain gutters, decks, and walkways. Follow ICC’s International Wildland-Urban Interface Code® for detailed requirements.

4. Flooded roads could have significant damage hidden by floodwaters. Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It takes only six inches of fastflowing water to sweep you off your feet and two feet of water to move an SUV-sized vehicle.

National Hurricane Preparedness Week

5/6/2019 (Permalink)

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA, the Atlantic hurricane season is right around the corner.  It typically runs from June 1 through November 30 but there is nothing magical about these dates, tropical cyclones can appear almost anytime. 

This season’s forecast was released today by The Weather Company, an IBM Business. The outlook calls for a total of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

National Hurricane Preparedness Week is the perfect time to  talk about hurricanes.  Although the friends and neighbors of SERVPRO of North Morris County reside approximately 50 miles from the Atlantic Coast, a typical hurricane can be up to 300 miles wide.  Many of us remember the devastation along the coast from Hurricanes Sandy and Irene.  Although we don’t have to worry about storm surge in North Morris County, the damage here from these storms was caused by sustained high winds, super cells and flooding. 

It’s never too early to be prepared!  Take some time this week, before hurricane season, to make a plan!

For a personalized Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) for your business, call SERVPRO of North Morris County at 973-983-5657.

For additional resources, visit the National Weather Service website:  https://www.weather.gov/wrn/hurricane-preparedness

To visit FEMA’s Make a Plan site: https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan

The Process

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

The Water Damage Restoration Process

When your home or commercial property has water damage from flooding or leaks, we have the expertise and equipment to properly restore your property. Our experience and scientific approach to water removal and water cleanup enable us to properly dry and restore your property.

Water or Flood Damage?
Call Today – (973) 983-5657

Every water damage event is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. You can click on any of the steps below to learn more about that process.

Step 1 - Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will guide you through the crisis and may ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources.

Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

We determine the scope of your water damage at this stage. We inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.

Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We use powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, which helps prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.

Step 4 - Drying and Dehumidification

We use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our Professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.

Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean all of the restorable items and structures damaged by the water. We are adept at cleaning contents using a number of techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to remove odors and deodorize your property.

Step 6 - Restoration

Restoration is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Water Damage - What NOT To Do

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

Sometimes in a situation, it is just as important to know what NOT to do as it is what you should do.

For example, in a water damage situation You should not enter a room with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist. If there are electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment exposed to water, this is an area to avoid.

You should not leave books, newspapers or magazines on wet carpets or floors since they could cause staining. The same could be said for oriental or other colored area rugs on wall-to-wall carpeting.

Do not use televisions or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially wet concrete floors.

Do not turn on ceiling fans if the ceiling is wet or sagging from retained water.

It is important to know what to do in these situations, but just as important what NOT to do

Contaminated Water - The Do's & Don'ts

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

When it comes to "contaminated" water, such as sewage, there are things you should do and things you should not. It is important to remember the high bacteria level could cause a health image.

The number one thing to remember is you want to avoid direct contact with the water.  This and any contents affected by the water.

If you do make contact with contamination, make sure you wash your hands immediately.

Things you should avoid in this scenario include walking through and spreading the contaminated water by tracking into unaffected places.

Also, turn off the HVAC system if possible if there is the possibility of spreading the germs. Do not use household fans to dry the affected area.

SERVPRO of North Morris County wants you to stay as safe as possible until help arrives

Do You Have Dirty Ducts?

4/11/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know your ventilation
system is often the biggest
culprit in poor indoor air
quality? Inspecting the ductwork in
your facility or home should be a high
priority. In most cases, the HVAC
system has been operating for some time
without much attention. Dirty ducts can
circulate odors, contaminants such as
mold and irritating dust throughout
your building or home.

A routine part of our
service is inspecting the heating,
ventilation and air conditioning unit
(HVAC). Keeping the HVAC and
ductwork clean can potentially extend
the life-span of the equipment by
allowing it to operate at peak condition,
which may help save you money. Duct
cleaning may not always be necessary.
We will inspect your HVAC system and
ductwork and make recommendations
about the best way to address any indoor
air quality concerns. This inspection can
help save you money and provide peace
of mind on the health of your HVAC
system and ductwork.
In some circumstances, such as after a
fire, smoke or suspected mold growth,
duct cleaning becomes an essential part
of the cleanup process. In these cases,
your we can often restore the HVAC system and
ductwork to pre-damage condition.
If you have a fuel-burning furnace, stove or fireplace, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends they be inspected
for proper functioning and be serviced
before each heating season to protect
against carbon monoxide poisoning.
The SERVPRO® Duct Cleaning
System is proven and cost-efficient.
Unlike the majority of duct cleaning
services, we a portable ventilation
and air duct cleaning system to
examine ductwork and make a clean
sweep, removing years of dust and
grime.

-The process begins by using
patented equipment, including a
roto-scraper, which automatically
adapts to the duct’s shape and
diameter while traveling through
the duct, removing debris and filth
before vacuuming begins.
-Next, a powerful push-pull air
delivery and collection system
transfers the debris from the
ducting to a 16-gallon container.
-Air is filtered through a HEPA
filtration system, removing 99.97
percent of the particles in the
airstream. HEPA filters capture
debris and keep the indoor
environment clean.
-As an optional process, a sealant or
coating product may be sprayed to
address odor or microbial concerns.
-Filters will either be cleaned or
replaced to remove odor and
dirt.

For more information on duct
cleaning, or to schedule an appointment,
contact us today.

Real Praise from Real Customers

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

“I cannot thank SERVPRO of North Morris County (Rockaway) enough for the fantastic job they did! My house had several pipes burst while I was away, and the entire house was a mess! They came out quickly, worked with me on all information, and performed everything in a professional manner. Like most people who need SERVPRO, this was a very difficult time for us - and SERVPRO helped ease the pain a bit. 

Leon was ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! He was professional, courteous, prompt and empathetic. He kept me posted 7 days a week on status of job and made the whole difficult situation better. Thank you very much SERVPRO of North Morris County- but especially Leon, for the incredibly professional and good job you guys did! HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND! “

-Mary Beth, Rockaway

“My 2nd Floor Laundry hose failed and flooded my downstairs for 20 minutes causing major damage to my LR/DR ceiling and floors. This happened in Jan 2019 right before scheduled surgery.

The SERVPRO team headed by Leon was prompt, neat, and did everything they could to clean up the all damage and relieve me of any concerns I had about possible mold growth. Leon in particular, went out of his way to make things easier for me during a challenging and stressful time.

I offer my highest recommendations to this SERVPRO team. If you ever have any water damage to your home, do not hesitate to call them.”

-Barbara, Rockaway

“SERVPRO of North Morris County was absolutely wonderful. We had such a mess and they were wonderful. I am so grateful to SERVPRO , now my house doesn't smell like a sewer and they did a wonderful job!”

 -Alice, Denville

“I want to thank Joe, Bill and the crew for handling the water damage resulting from a washing machine hose. You delivered and made it as advertised..."Like it never even happened!" 

-Bill, Dover

We thank our customers for their high praise, and for trusting us to get the job done right.  If you would like to become one of our satisfied customers, visit our website or give us a call at SERVPRO of North Morris County 973-983-5657.  We will answer all of your questions and guide you through the process.

Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter, or Google+, and follow the tips, tricks and advice we share with our community.

Eww, That Smell!

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

Ewww, That Smell! 

Thanks to Lynyrd Skynyrd, that phrase prompts a song, and an air guitar.  In terms of our homes or businesses, it should prompt an evaluation of the source of the smell.  We’re not talking about the passing odors of everyday life:  our co-workers liberal use of cologne; stuffed cabbage leftovers being reheated in the microwave; air fresheners in the bathroom.  We’re talking about serious, strong, lingering odors that have no obvious source.  For homeowners, this can be a real mystery.  Did that little kitchen fire cause a permanent odor?  Is there a dead mouse somewhere in my home?  Did my cat spray the wall?  Is my septic system starting to back up under my foundation? 

Whatever the cause, technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC),  our SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals,  provide specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage and many other causes. SERVPRO® of North Morris County will  not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; we seek out and remove the source of the odor. Once the source is found, SERVPRO’s own proprietary line of cleaning products is used to treat and prevent the odor from returning. Any restorable item in affected areas will also be professionally cleaned and deodorized, including furniture, draperies and upholstery, electronics, art, flooring, walls, ceilings, HVAC air ducts and more. Ask our team to explain the various deodorization methods available and which will work best for you. If you or a customer suffer fire damage or some other accident and require deodorization services, contact your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals. Whether its fire, water, or mold damage or just a stubborn odor that refuses to go away, we’ll help make it “Like it never even happened.”

We thank our customers for their high praise, and for trusting us to get the job done right.  If you would like to become one of our satisfied customers, visit our website or give us a call at SERVPRO of North Morris County 973-983-5657.  We will answer all of your questions and guide you through the process.

Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter, or Google+, and follow the tips, tricks and advice we share with our community.

Celebrating and Reflecting....15 Years!

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

This year, we will be celebrating 15 years since we opened our doors and sent our technicians and trucks out on the road for the first time.  It is a time for celebration, but also of reflection.  One of our first jobs when we opened our doors involved an elderly woman living in a house with 37 cats (dead and alive).  No family member had checked on her for some time.  She suffered a medical incident which caused her family to finally remove her to a nursing home.  Then came the clean-up effort in order to get her house on the market.  Not an easy task!  And yes, the smell.

 SERVPRO of North Morris County was called upon to check out the property to see if anything could be done.  The odor was so strong it lingered in the air outside the home and in the neighborhood.  Clothed in Tyvek suits and respirators, our team tackled the difficult task of inspecting the home and coming up with a plan of action.  Where many other contractors may have knocked the house down and started again, our crew worked tirelessly to get this property back to livable condition. 

It was a long and arduous project, but the job was completed.  The woman’s family was grateful for a job well done and was able to put the house on the market “Like it never even happened.” If you walked into that home today, you would never know its history!  And of course, it is a part of our history as a business, trying to help members of our North Morris County community solve their problems from day one, and continuing to help them live their best lives. 

We thank our customers for their high praise, and for trusting us to get the job done right.  If you would like to become one of our satisfied customers, visit our website or give us a call at SERVPRO of North Morris County 973-983-5657.  We will answer all of your questions and guide you through the process.

Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter, or Google+, and follow the tips, tricks and advice we share with our community

Clean That Dryer Vent

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

An Ounce of Prevention....clean out that dryer filter after each use.

According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers causes 34% of home dryer fires. Home dryer fires cause $35 million in property loss and can even cause injury or death. To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your home, SERVPRO® of North Morris County can help clean dryer vents and ducts that may have lint buildup. Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Agency include cleaning the lint filter before and after each load and making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not restricted by snow, a bird’s nest or other potential obstacles.  

Here in Morris County, the snow has finally melted.  Now is a good time for this outdoor inspection.  Remove all excess debris and leaves that may have built up over the winter. 

We thank our customers for their high praise, and for trusting us to get the job done right.  If you would like to become one of our satisfied customers, visit our website or give us a call at SERVPRO of North Morris County 973-983-5657.  We will answer all of your questions and guide you through the process.

Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter, or Google+, and follow the tips, tricks and advice we share with our community.

Be Flood Smart

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

Floods are one of the most common and widespread
natural disasters in the United States. Whether your home or business is near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert-there is always potential for flood damage. Floodsmart.gov reports, in the last five years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods.

According to the American Red Cross (ARC), floods cause more damage in the U.S. every year than
any other weather-related disaster. The ARC offers the following flood safety tips:

- Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles,
stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

-If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on
a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.
Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.

-Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.

If a flood does strike your home or business, contact SERVPRO of North Morris County. Even minor floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure when not treated quickly and properly, and the cleanup is often an overwhelming task. We are prepared to handle any size disaster. When fire and water take control of your life, we will help you take it back.

Understanding Water Types

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

When your home or business suffers a water damage,
understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical to ensuring proper cleanup.

There are three types of water. Clean water is water from a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater
is also considered clean. The term gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water. Clean water
becomes gray water when it is left untreated allowing bacteria and other contaminants to begin growing, making the water hazardous. Black water is
highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural
disaster. Black water should always be handled by trained professionals.

Consider taking the following precautions to help minimize damage or prevent further damage while waiting for help to arrive:

Damage from Clean Water

-Shut off the water source if possible or contact a qualified professional to do so.

-Turn of circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if access to the power distribution panel is same from potential electrical shock. Do not enter rooms with standing water, as electrical shock hazards may exist.

-Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.

-Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions to allow more even drying.

-Move any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other valuable items that may be sensitive to moisture to a safe place.

-Do not leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors as they may cause staining. 

-Do not use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water as there is potential for electrical shock or causing damage to the vacuum cleaner.

-Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet; do not enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Damage from Contaminated Water

-Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage. Wash your hands thoroughly if you come in contact with contaminated items.

-Do not walk through contaminated areas, as you could spread damage to unaffected areas.

-Do not turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.

-Do not use household fans to dry the structure; air flow could spread contaminants. 

-Discard any food and/or products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated aras.

When you have a water damage, don't leave your property to chance. Call SERVPRO of North Morris County.

Be Prepared With an ERP

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

Given the data about the seasonal potential for flooding, as well as its power to disrupt the operation of your business, you may be wondering what you should do to be prepared in case catastrophe strikes. Luckily, our team at SERVPRO of North Morris County has got you covered. The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) will help ensure you are “Ready for whatever happens.” In the event of an emergency, the ERP can help minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action in place for your facility. The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about your business, including emergency contacts, shut-off valve locations and instructions, and priority areas of concern. Call SERVPRO of North Morris County today to establish your Emergency READY Profile®!

Smoke Alarms: Life Savers

2/25/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms save lives when properly installed and maintained, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

In homes, smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and on every level, including the basement. In office and commercial environments, check your state requirements or contact your local Fire Marshall to help ensure all codes are met

Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years. Other alarms need batteries replaced every year and the unit replaced every ten years. If the alarm chirps signaling low battery, take the proper steps to replace the unit or the batteries immediately. Never disable or remove the battery from an alarm. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries (NFPA).

In larger commercial facilities, hard wired or wireless smoke alarms offer benefits such as not needing to be tested as often and activating throughout the entire building if smoke is detected in just one area (NFPA).

If you need help installing, testing or changing batteries in your smoke alarms, contact your local fire department, an electrician or the American Red Cross.

Be sure your home or workplace has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills. 

Portable Fire Extinguishers

2/18/2019 (Permalink)

Portable fire extinguishers can be life and property saving tools when used correctly. In order to operate an extinguisher, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) suggests remembering the word PASS:

Pull the pin. Hold the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side. Read the instructions on the fire extinguisher and become familiar with them before a fire breaks out.

Remember, extinguishers do have limitations. It is also important to ensure you have the correct type of extinguisher for your facility. To find more information on choosing the appropriate class of extinguisher, please visit the NFPA website at nfpa.org.

FASTER TO ANY SIZE DISASTER

2/13/2019 (Permalink)

The first 48 hours after a fire damage can make the difference between restoring versus replacing damaged property and personal belongings. Rapid response and timely mitigation can help prevent fire damage from creating longterm problems.

We understand returning to normal is your primary concern. SERVPRO® Response Teams are trained in caring for both you and your property. By responding quickly with a full line of fire cleanup and restoration services, we can help you get your home or business back up and running quickly and help protect your property and belongings. If your home or business suffers a fire damage, contact us to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Emergency Fire Damage Tips

2/13/2019 (Permalink)

These emergency tips will assist you in taking proper action until we arrive. Follow these DOs and DON’Ts to help reduce damage and increase the chances of a successful restoration.

DO:

-Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into carpet and avoid tracking.

-Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.

-If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.

-Wipe soot from metal kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances.

-If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.

-Remove soot particles from plants with a damp cloth.

-Change HVAC filter, but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.

-Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

DON’T:

-Don’t attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting us.

-Don’t attempt to shampoo carpet, rugs or upholstered furniture without first consulting your us.

-Don’t attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV sets, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.

-Don’t consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water. (They may be contaminated.)

-Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock and air movement may create secondary damage.

-Don’t send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.

Happy New Year

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

Each new year brings the opportunity
for new beginnings! Make 2019 a
year to remember and resolve to be READY!

We want to help ensure you enjoy a safe and happy new year by helping you be prepared for anything the year may have in store.

While we only hope to see good things come
about in a new year, it is always a good idea to plan ahead for the not-so-good things—fire or water damage—that are always an unexpected
and unwelcome disaster.

Make your resolution one that helps protect you
and your business. Call your lus to learn more about how we can help you be “Ready for whatever happens” in the new year!

Are You Winter Weather Ready?

12/17/2018 (Permalink)

Are you prepared for the coming
cold weather? Cold weather
can have a huge impact on
your home or business if you are not
ready for it. From heavy rain and
freezing temperatures to damaging
winds, sleet or snow, all can cause
serious and costly property damage.
While you cannot control the weather,
you can take steps to be prepared
and help take the sting out of winter
weather.

To help prevent costly damages due to
weather, consider taking the following
precautions to protect your property
before colder weather hits:

-Check your business property
for downed tree limbs and
branches. Wind, heavy rain, ice
and snow can cause branches to
fall, which could cause damage
to the property and potentially
cause personal injuries.
-Roofs, water pipes, and gutters
should all be inspected to help
ensure they are in proper order.
Gutter downspouts should be
directed away from your building.
Clear gutters of debris that may
have gathered during the fall.
Leaves and other obstructions can
cause a damming effect, which
can lead to roof damage and
interior water problems.
-Inspect property, especially
walkways and parking lots, for
proper drainage to alleviate
a potential flood hazard.
-Inspect all handrails, stairwells and
entryways to address and correct
potential slippery or hazardous
areas. Install mats or non-slip
surfaces and post caution signs
where water could be present.
-Protect water pipes from freezing
by simply allowing water to drip
when temperatures dip below
freezing. If pipes are under a
cabinet, leave the cabinet doors
open, allowing warm inside air
to circulate around the pipes. If
the building has outdoor faucets,
consider shutting water off at the
main valve in the basement or
crawl space. Once the valve is off,
open the outdoor faucet to ensure
it drains, preventing any remaining
water from freezing in the pipe.
-Ask us about
completing an Emergency READY
Profile® (ERP) for your business.
The ERP is a no-cost assessment
of your facility and provides you
with a plan to get back in business
faster following a disaster.

When winter weather strikes, call
your local SERVPRO® Franchise
Professionals to strike back. n

Celebrate Safely This Holiday Season

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

Pretty lights, candles and
decorations are just a few of
the items bringing charm
and cheer to the holiday season—
however, if they are not used carefully
your holidays may go from festive to
frightening.

The American Red Cross offers the
following safety tips to help greatly
reduce the fire risk in your home or
business this holiday season.

-Place Christmas trees, candles
and other holiday decorations at
least three feet away from heat
sources like fireplaces, portable
heaters, radiators, heat vents
and candles.

-Make sure light strings and
other holiday decorations are
in good condition. Do not use
anything with frayed electrical
cords and always follow
the manufacturer’s
instructions.

-Always unplug tree and holiday
lights before leaving the
property or going to bed.

-Never use lit candles to decorate
a tree. Always extinguish
candles before leaving the room
or going to bed.

-Use only sturdy tree stands
designed not to tip over. Keep
curious pets and children away
from Christmas trees.

-Keep anything that can catch
fire—pot holders, oven mitts,
wooden utensils, paper or
plastic bags, food packaging and
towels or curtains—away from
your stove top.

-Designate one person to
walk around your property
to ensure all candles and
smoking materials are properly
extinguished after guests leave.

We wish you a safe and
happy holiday season! 

FASTER TO ANY SIZE DISASTER

12/4/2018 (Permalink)

As the weather outside gets frightful and your cozy homes become warm and delightful, the holiday season’s aglow, let it snow, let it snow, let is snow. According to climate.gov, on February 12, 2010, there was snow present in all 50 states, including Hawaii! Five years later in 2015, it almost happened again, when every state but Florida experienced snow. While it is generally unlikely for certain states to encounter snow, it is still important to know how to be prepared if winter weather strikes at your home, business or while traveling.

But what happens if disaster does strike during the most wonderful time of year? Easy—Call your SERVPRO of North Morris County, even if it is the night before Christmas. We are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year, ready when you need help the most.

Document Restoration

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

As a leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO® knows timely mitigation is the key to reducing severity and recovering damaged items. Water– or smoke–damaged paper can rapidly deteriorate. Without proper handling, valuable files and irreplaceable documents could be lost forever. Let SERVPRO’s Document Restoration Team help you recover your damaged paper goods before it is too late.

Our technicians are trained to use the most advanced technology available for document recovery and drying; in fact, the Document Restoration Team uses the same technique the Library of Congress uses to dry water-damaged books.

Why choose SERVPRO® Vacuum Freeze Drying?

Vacuum freeze drying is the most efficient and effective way to salvage water-damaged documents. The Document Restoration Team uses sublimation—turning a solid directly into a vapor, skipping the liquid stage to avoid causing more damage to the documents. This process can recover even the most delicate items—from documents to photographs and x-rays, to entire business archives.

All employees of the Document Restoration Team are HIPAA Master certified and once your items arrive at the SERVPRO® facility, 24/7 video surveillance is guaranteed.

Digitizing

With the new age of technology, digitizing records and documents has become a standard practice in most industries. This eliminates the need to have massive file storage rooms and allows us to access records at the click of a button. If your file room was damaged by water or smoke and needs to be cleaned, dried or decontaminated, digitizing might be a good choice to eliminate the need to have hundreds or even thousands of documents and records in storage.

Gamma Irradiation 

Gamma irradiation is a process used for cleaning/disinfecting and decontaminating documents or other consumer goods.

In a CAT 3 situation (sewage or flood water), documents are not only deteriorating but are also infected with all types of bacteria. In most storm situations, you are dealing with CAT 3 water; therefore, most of the affected documents you encounter will be contaminated.

If this is the case, decontamination is always a must. In living cells, these disruptions result in damage to the DNA and other cellular structures. These photoninduced changes at the molecular level cause the death of the organism or render the organism incapable of reproduction. The gamma process does not create residuals or impart radioactivity in processed products.

Certified Destruction

Unfortunately, many businesses and government agencies have to dispose of counterfeit, faulty, expired or contaminated materials. All entities need to be certified that their products and materials are destroyed. The guarantee of certified destruction is to protect one’s liabilities, brand image or proprietary information. We guarantee certified destruction to give you peace of mind that your documents are disposed of properly.

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SERVPRO’s goal is to make the process as simple as possible for customers. Contact us for more information on Document Restoration services

Safety First: Before the Feast

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

Each November, families gather
to celebrate Thanksgiving by
preparing a delicious feast,
but if you don’t practice safe cooking
habits, your happy holiday could
become hazardous very quickly.

According to the National Fire
Protection Association, cooking is
the main cause for home fires and
injuries, with Thanksgiving being the
peak day for cooking-related fires.

Review the following safety
tips to help ensure you can
enjoy a safe holiday.

-Never leave cooking food
unattended–stay in the
kitchen when frying, grilling
or broiling food. If someone
must leave the kitchen for even
a short period of time, they
should turn off the stove.

-Check food regularly while
cooking and remain in the
home while cooking. Use
a timer as a reminder that
the stove or oven is on.

-Keep the kids away from the
cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free
zone” and make them stay at least
three feet away from the stove.

-Keep anything flammable–pot
holders, oven mitts, wooden
utensils, paper or plastic bags,
food packaging and towels or
curtains—away from the stove,
oven or any other appliance in
the kitchen that generates heat.

-Do not wear loose clothing or
dangling sleeves while cooking.

-Clean cooking surfaces on a regular
basis to prevent grease buildup.

-Purchase a fire extinguisher to keep
in the kitchen. Contact the local
fire department for training on
the proper use of extinguishers.

-Always check the kitchen before
going to bed or leaving the home
to make sure all stoves, ovens, and
small appliances are turned off.

-Install a smoke alarm near the
kitchen, on each level of the
home, near sleeping areas and
inside and outside bedrooms.
Use the test button to check
it each month. Replace all
batteries at least once a year.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

FASTER TO ANY SIZE DISASTER

11/9/2018 (Permalink)

Did you know cooking
equipment is the leading
cause of residential fires?
As the holidays begin, fire precautions
should as well.

A property owner experiences a flood
of emotions when a fire ravages their
business or home. Fear, uncertainty,
stress and doubt about the future of the
property can be overwhelming to the
property owner long after the flames
have been extinguished and the smoke
has cleared.

After the first wave of heroes have
rescued the property, let us
help you restore the property.
Combining rapid response, the
utmost professionalism and open
communication, we strive to restore
not only the home or business, but to
restore the customer’s peace of mind, as
well.

The National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) offers the following
eye-opening statistics on fires:

-475,500 structure fires
were reported in the
United States in 2016.

-These fires caused $7.9 billion
in property damages.

-One structure fire was
reported every 66 seconds.

If the unthinkable happens and a fire
strikes, give the experts at SERVPRO a call. We’ll help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Why the Emergency READY Profile?

9/24/2018 (Permalink)

National Preparedness Month is the perfect opportunity to share the benefits of having a readiness plan in place with your customers, business and family.

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) will help ensure you and your business are “Ready for whatever happens.”

In the event of an emergency, the SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile® can help minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action in place for your facility. The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about your business, including emergency contact information, shut-off valve locations and priority areas. The ERP is also accessible online using your computer or tablet; download SERVPRO’s free Ready Plan app to access this information at any time using your smartphone or tablet.

The ERP establishes us as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider, giving you access to over 50 years experience and a System more than 1,700 Franchises strong. Knowing what to do and who to call in advance is key to quick response and timely mitigation. Having a plan in place may help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive and get you back in the building following a disaster.

Preparation is the key to making it through any size disaster, whether it is a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time to plan for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but now, you can plan for it.

The ERP is a no-cost assessment; all it requires is a little time, making it a great value that could save a lot of time in the future. Call your local us to establish your Emergency READY Profile®.

Smoke Alarms: Life Savers

9/17/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms save lives when properly installed and maintained, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

In homes, smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and on every level, including the basement. In office and commercial environments, check your state requirements or contact your local Fire Marshall to help ensure all codes are met.

Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years. Other alarms need batteries replaced every year, and the unit replaced every ten years. If the alarm chirps signaling low battery, take the proper steps to replace the unit or the batteries immediately. Never disable or remove the battery from an alarm. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries (NFPA).

In larger commercial facilities, hard wired or wireless smoke alarms offer benefits such as not needing to be tested as often and activating throughout the entire building if smoke is detected in just one area (NFPA).

If you need help installing, testing or changing batteries in your smoke alarms, contact your local fire department, an electrician or the American Red Cross.

Be sure your home or workplace has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills. For more information on emergency preparedness, contact us.

DISASTERS HAPPEN: Prepare Now / Learn How

9/6/2018 (Permalink)

As a business owner, insurer or property manager, you are a leader in your community and have the opportunity to set an example for your employees, customers and community to follow.

This year for National Preparedness Month, join your community in preparing for emergencies and disasters of all types, and leading efforts to encourage the community as a whole to become more prepared. “Disasters happen” and not only devastate individuals and neighborhoods, but entire communities, including businesses of all sizes.

As an employer in your community, having a business continuity plan can help protect your company, its employees and its infrastructure, and maximizes your chances of recovery after an emergency or disaster. You can do this by taking three simple steps:

-Plan to stay in business

-Encourage your employees to become ready

-Protect your investment

We must work together as a team to ensure that our families, businesses, places of worship and neighborhoods are ready. At Ready.gov/business, companies can find vital information on how to begin preparing their organization and addressing their unique needs during an emergency. You can also contact us to find out more on how to be ready when disaster strikes with the Emergency READY Program®

If a disaster strikes, will you be ready?

9/6/2018 (Permalink)

It is important to prepare before a disaster occurs. Consider the following steps to help you better prepare for an emergency situation.

-Sign up for local alerts and warnings, download app and/or check access for wireless emergency alerts.

-Develop and test emergency communication plans.

-Assemble or update emergency supplies.

-Learn about local hazards and conduct a drill to practice emergency response actions.

-Participate in a preparedness discussion, training or class.

-Collect and safeguard critical documents.

-Plan with neighbors to help each other and share resources.

-Document property and obtain appropriate insurance for relevant hazards.

-Make property improvements to reduce potential injury and property damage.

SERVPRO of North Morris County reminds you that emergencies can happen anytime to anyone. Take action now to protect yourself and your property

Hurricane Hazards

8/23/2018 (Permalink)

Hurricane season has already begun and several named storms have developed in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf of Mexico. For the Atlantic, the season begins June 1 and runs through November 30. On average, there are 12 tropical storms that develop, with an average of six becoming hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service.

Hurricanes can be life-threatening as well as cause serious property damage. The National Weather Service lists the following as potential “hurricane hazards.”

-Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm’s winds. This hazard is historically the leading cause of hurricane related deaths in the United States. Storm surge and large battering waves can result in large loss of life and cause massive destruction along the coast. Storm surge can travel several miles inland, especially along bays, rivers and estuaries.

-Flooding from heavy rains is the second leading cause of fatalities from landfalling tropical cyclones. Widespread torrential rains associated with these storms often cause flooding hundreds of miles inland. This flooding can persist for several days after a storm has dissipated.

-Winds from a hurricane can destroy buildings and manufactured homes. Signs, roofing material and other items left outside can become flying missiles during hurricanes.

-Tornadoes can accompany landfalling tropical cyclones. These tornadoes typically occur in rain bands well away from the center of the storm

- Dangerous waves produced by a tropical cyclone’s strong winds can pose a significant hazard to coastal residents and mariners. These waves can cause deadly rip currents, significant beach erosion and damage to structures along the coastline, even when the storm is more than a 1,000 miles offshore.

Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane. Plan an evacuation route and your emergency plan, take inventory of your property and take steps to protect your home or business. 

FASTER TO ANY DISASTER

8/11/2018 (Permalink)

There’s no such thing as a small disaster—especially when a small leak now could blossom into a big claim later. Unseen water can soak through walls, seep through carpet and pool on sub floors, causing major problems over time. You need help—fast.

No matter what time of day or night, contact SERVPRO of North Morris County to begin emergency mitigation.

Emergency mitigation means under normal circumstances, we can be on-site within four hours to begin drying your building and restoring contents. The faster the water is removed, the less chance of serious damage to your facility.

We trained and understand how to manage the drying process. By utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and the latest technology, your structure will be quickly and thoroughly dried, which helps prevent secondary water damages.

We will remove moisture and any contaminants by disinfecting and deodorizing to safely clean and dry your building and contents. Help ensure the value of your property by calling SERVPRO of North Morris County.

Defense Against Mold Damage

8/11/2018 (Permalink)

-Keep the humidity between 30 to 60 percent.

-Provide for proper drainage away from building foundations.

-Regularly inspect plumbing and appliances for leaks.

-Keep gutters and drains clear of debris. 

-Inspect the roof, windows and other areas where water might enter the building and perform necessary maintenance.

-Respond to all water intrusions immediately. 

-Contact us for assistance after a water damage or if you discover mold

Fireworks Safety

7/26/2018 (Permalink)

It will soon be fireworks season! According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an average of 18,500 fires are started every year by fireworks.

This includes 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. “These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage,” says the NFPA.

SERVPRO of North Morris County asks "Do you think sparklers are the safe way to go?" The answer is "Nope: they account for about a fourth of emergency room fireworks injuries".

SERVPRO of North Morris County says stay safe this summer by paying close attention to children at fireworks events, and avoiding the use of consumer fireworks.

We want our community to be SAFE!

Extreme Heat Safety Tips to Prepare Your Home

7/23/2018 (Permalink)

-Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.

-Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.

-Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.

-Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.

-Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.) n Keep storm windows up all year.

MANAGING MOLD

7/14/2018 (Permalink)

When there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO of North Morris County has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process.

Call the Team in Green

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call SERVPRO. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view.

Mold Containment

Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Contents and Belongings

SERVPRO cleans your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.

Restoration

Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. SERVPRO understands mold and mold growth and have the training and equipment to remediate mold in your home or business. n

BIOHAZARD, CRIME SCENE, AND VANDALISM CLEANUP

7/14/2018 (Permalink)

Recognized as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider by hundreds of insurance companies, SERVPRO of North Morris County also offers fast, reliable biohazard and crime scene cleanup and restoration services to residential and commercial property owners.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences for building occupants, employees, customers, and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

SERVPRO professionals are trained to safely and effectively remove biohazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA, and state and local health regulations.

Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, we help turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and offices.

We can help with the following issues:

-Bloodborne Pathogens

-Methamphetamine Labs

-Crime Scene Residues

-Arson

-Vandalism

-Sewage Backups

-Black Water Intrusions

-Mold Mitigation and Remediation State and local regulations vary.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

We remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue, and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime, or death. Trained SERVPRO Franchise Technicians thoroughly clean, disinfect, and deodorize the structure.

METHAMPHETAMINE LABS

Many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs, such as methamphetamine, are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. We follow federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces.

CRIME SCENE RESIDUES

From fingerprint powder and evidencegathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, we can clean and restore your property and contents.

ARSON AND VANDALISM 

We are recognized as leaders at helping property owners recover quickly from fire and water damage. We also provide general cleaning and deodorization services for situations resulting from vandalism including graffiti, egg, spoiled foods, and human or animal waste.

EXTREME HEAT

7/14/2018 (Permalink)

As summer approaches, it is time to consider safety precautions for extreme heat in the coming months. Heat affects all people, but especially the young, elderly, sick, and overweight. Urban area residents also have a greater chance of being affected than those who live in rural areas due to the heat island effect.

According to the EPA, “the sun can heat dry, exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, to temperatures 50–90°F hotter than the air, while shaded or moist surfaces—often in more rural surroundings—remain close to air temperatures.” These surface heat islands are strongest during the day when the sun is shining, while the atmospheric heat islands are more likely after sunset “due to the slow release of heat from urban infrastructure.”

Whether you are in an urban or rural area, there are several things you can do to prepare for and prevent extreme heat from affecting you. If possible, stay indoors in air conditioning. Be sure to check on your pets who may be outdoors or bring them inside. Stay hydrated and limit alcohol and caffeine intake.

If you must go outside, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and be sure to apply sunscreen often. Pay attention to signs of heat exhaustion, which are heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale, and clammy skin; nausea or vomiting; and fainting, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is life-threatening. Signs of heat stroke are a high body temperature (103°+), rapid and strong pulse, and possible unconsciousness. If you think someone has heat stroke, call 911 immediately and move the person somewhere cool. Reduce body temperature with cool, wet cloths or a bath. Do not give a person with heat stroke fluids, and treat the situation as a serious medical emergency (CDC).

If you live in a humid climate, be aware of the heat index. The heat index factors in the humidity, which can make the temperature feel 15° hotter. Extreme heat is a serious danger. For more information on preparation and prevention, visit ready.gov or cdc.gov

Disaster Safety Tips

6/15/2018 (Permalink)

1. If you live in a high wind or hurricane-prone area and do not have tested and code-approved shutters for protection from windborne debris, consider temporarily protecting your doors and windows by mounting exterior grade, 7/16" minimum thickness plywood and fastening it into place. Visit www.flash.org for detailed instructions on how to use plywood for emergency board-up.

2. Consider building or retrofitting to create a tornado-safe room in your home. Follow ICC/ NSSA 500 Standard for detailed construction information and to ensure you achieve the highest level of protection for your family.

3. In wildfire prone areas, remove fine (dead grass, leaves, etc.) and coarse (dead twigs, branches, etc.) fuels within 30 feet of a building to create a survivable space in case of wildfire. Be sure to remove dry leaf and pine litter from roofs, rain gutters, decks, and walkways. Follow ICC’s International Wildland-Urban Interface Code® for detailed requirements.

4. Flooded roads could have significant damage hidden by floodwaters. Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It takes only six inches of fastflowing water to sweep you off your feet and two feet of water to move an SUV-sized vehicle.

The Importance of Cleaning Drying Vents

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers causes 34% of home dryer fires. Home dryer fires cause $35 million in property loss and can even cause injury or death.

To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your or your insured’s home or business, SERVPRO of North Morris County can help clean dryer vents and ducts that may have lint buildup.

Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Agency include cleaning the lint filter before and after each load and making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not restricted by snow, a bird’s nest, or other potential obstacles.

For more information on cleaning dryer vents, contact your local SERVPRO of North Morris County Professionals.

Improve Your Air Quaility - Duct Cleaning Can Help!

5/19/2018 (Permalink)

The ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, but you can help change that! Inspecting the ductwork in your facility or home should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold, and irritating dust throughout your building or home.

A routine part of your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional’s service is inspecting the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life-span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may help save you money. Duct cleaning may not always be necessary. SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This inspection can help save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your HVAC system and ductwork.

In some circumstances, such as after a fire, smoke, or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process. In these cases, your SERVPRO® Franchise Professional can often restore the HVAC system and ductwork to pre-damage condition.

If you have a fuel-burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends they be inspected for proper functioning and be serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.

The SERVPRO® Duct Cleaning System is proven and cost-efficient. Unlike the majority of duct cleaning services, your SERVPRO® Franchise Professional uses a portable ventilation and air duct cleaning system to examine ductwork and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.

• The process begins by using patented equipment, including a roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the duct’s shape and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming begins.
• Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.
• Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97 percent of the particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the indoor environment clean.
• As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns.
• Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.

For more information on duct cleaning or to schedule an appointment, contact your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals today.

The FEMA App

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

The devestation of a catastrophic storm can affect your home or business

Be prepared to weather the storm with the FEMA App.

This app allows you to get National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations to keep you informed on-the-go. It also has information on what to do before, during, and after different disasters.

In the midst of an emergency, the app can give you directions to open shelters nearby, help you locate someone to talk to at a Disaster Recovery Center, and let you share images of damage and recovery efforts to help first responders and emergency managers.

This app is available to download for free for iOS and Android at the Apple Store and on Google Play

A Salute to First Responders

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” This famous Mr. Rogers quote comes to mind when we celebrate first responders: those who arrive first on the scene of any disaster or emergency.

In the event of a disaster or emergency, there are many different agencies and people in your community who are ready to respond. Whether it’s a house fire or a hurricane, we are thankful every day for these first responders. Firefighters, EMTs, and Police Local fire and police departments, as well as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), are often first on the scene of an emergency.

In the U.S., there are more than 29,700 fire departments with 1,160,450 total firefighters, according to the National Fire Protection Association’s 2015 U.S. Fire Department Profile. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are almost 245,000 EMTs and paramedics in the U.S.

In the U.S. there are about 18,000 federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies, employing more than 750,000 fulltime sworn officers, according to the Uniformed Crime Reporting Program collected by the FBI. Military

When events such as natural disasters strike, different branches of the military are often a first line of response. The Army National Guard and Air National Guard, with over 342,000 soldiers, respond domestically when deployed by their state Governor, often during states of emergency from weather-related events.

They can also be called upon during terrorist attacks or civil unrest, or called overseas by the President of the United States. Active duty soldiers can also be called upon for certain domestic events as well. FEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

As a part of FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), these volunteers are trained to be prepared for any disasters that may affect your local area in an effort to support professional responders. CERT volunteers are trained in “basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations,” according to FEMA.

With more than 2,700 CERT programs, over 600,000 individuals have been trained nationwide. Teams are managed locally, but supported nationally by FEMA. SERVPRO® recognizes these and the countless other first responders in our communities for keeping our communities safe.

HOARDING: A Serious Situation

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

According to The Mayo Clinic,

“Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs.”

Many people with hoarding disorder do not find their habits to be a problem. Hoarded items are often things others would throw away or look at as junk or garbage such as old newspapers, junk mail or packaging.

Hoarding can lead to homes filled with extreme clutter to full capacity from years of accumulation, making living conditions unsanitary and crowded. Bugs, fleas, rats and other vermin may be present, at which point an exterminator would need to be called. At times, hoarding may spread to outside the home as well, to storage facilities, or even the garage or yard.

SERVPRO of North Morris County encounters hoarding situations several different ways. Often, we are called for a fire or water loss and find the hoarding situation when we arrive on-site. Out crew chief will communicate with the insurance company regarding their contents coverage, and after approval, contents can be packed out and possibly cleaned, dried, and stored and/or relocated to a storage facility so work on the fire or water loss can begin.

Another way SERVPRO of North Morris County encounters hoarding jobs is through calls from landlords, case workers, real estate agents, or family members, often after the death of a loved one. In these situations, the crew will see if they should look for any items of importance while they clean the job. Sometimes, family members will come and try to help the hoarder sort through their contents as well.

Each case is very different, and hoarding jobs are often sensitive situations, but SERVPRO of North Morris County professionals are here to help make it “Like it never even happened.” If you encounter a hoarding situation at one of your properties, or with your insureds, call us today.

Severe Weather Safety

3/31/2018 (Permalink)

Severe weather can happen any time, anywhere. Each year, Americans cope with an average of the following intense storms: 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods or flash floods, 1,300 tornadoes, and 2 landfalling deadly hurricanes.

Approximately 98 percent of all presidentially declared disasters are weather-related, leading to around 650 deaths per year and nearly $15 billion in damage.* Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action, and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared to save your life and assist in saving the lives of others.

Know Your Risk. The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business, and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms, and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Take Action. Take the next step in severe weather preparedness by creating a communications plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place.

Be an Example. Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, share your story with co-workers and family and friends on Facebook or Twitter. Your preparedness story will inspire others to do the same. 

Call the Cleanup Team That is Faster to Any Disaster

3/10/2018 (Permalink)

Floods are one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. Whether your home or business is near a coastline, along city streets, in the mountains, near a river, or even in the desert—there is always potential for flood damage. Fema.gov reports in the last 5 years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods. Just because you haven’t experienced a flood in the past does not mean you won’t in the future. In fact, nearly 20% of all flood insurance claims come from moderate-to-low risk areas, and even just one inch of flood damage in an average home can cost you up to $27,000.

According to the American Red Cross, floods cause more damage in the U.S. every year than any other weather-related disaster. The American Red Cross offers the following flood safety tips:

-Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around, and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

-Stay away from floodwaters. If you come up on a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around, and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.

- Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water

If a flood does strike your home or business, contact SERVPRO of North Morris County. Even minor floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure when not treated quickly and properly, and the cleanup is often an overwhelming task. The SERVPRO® System is prepared to handle any sized disaster. When fire and water take control of your life, we will help you take it back

WHEN WATER DAMAGE STRIKES

3/10/2018 (Permalink)

The first 24 hours following a water loss are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within four hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO of North Morris County will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled by completing the following steps.

INSPECTION: we will inspect affected areas to determine the extent of water damage and will review the inspection with you to answer any questions before beginning any work.

EMERGENCY SERVICES: we will take steps to help protect your home or business, as well as personal belongings and other contents, from further damage by extracting the excess water and preparing the area for drying. They will explain the needed emergency services to you step-by-step.

MONITORING: To help ensure your home or business and belongings are dried to appropriate industry standards, we will monitor the drying process. The updates will be consistently communicated to you.

RESTORATION SERVICES: we will repair structural materials, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of your property and belongings. A final walkthrough of the jobsite will be conducted with you to help ensure the property was returned to preloss condition.

EMERGENCY WATER DAMAGE TIPS

3/10/2018 (Permalink)

In case of an emergency water damage, there are a few things you should remember:

-Shut off the water source if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.

-Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.

-Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.

-Place aluminium foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.

-Move any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, and other sensitive valuables to a dry place.

-Don’t enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers, or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.

-Don’t use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water; this could cause electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.

-Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

For more information on recovering from water damage, contact your SERVPRO of North Morris County today. 

YOU CAN BE RUINED, OR YOU CAN BE READY with the Help of Technology

2/13/2018 (Permalink)

Technology can now be a vital tool in preparing for emergencies or disasters, as well as during or after to stay informed of the situation and in communication with others. From common technology you already use on a day-to-day basis to taking a few extra steps to prepare, the following will help you be ready in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Store Information Online

There are many places to store important information securely online. Services like Google Drive and Dropbox offer free way to store different types of files, from a Word document to images of important documents. Ready.gov suggests saving an electronic version of insurance policies, identification documents, medical records, and information on your pets, if necessary.

Follow the News

Stay informed by following agencies such as FEMA, local news channels, and local government on Twitter for the most up-to-date information in a disaster situation. You can also alert first responders if a rescue is needed through Twitter.

Mark Yourself Safe

The American Red Cross offers a Safe & Well check-in site to list yourself as safe or find family and friends in situations where communication is difficult to establish. Facebook also has a feature called Safety Check that is activated after natural disasters or a crisis. You will receive a notification from Facebook if you’re located in the affected area at that time.

Get in Touch

Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in your phone and e-mail for communication with family, friends, business contacts, and others whom you may need to get in contact with before, during, or after a disaster.

Charge Up

Keep a portable charger in your car and home in case of an emergency. You may need to recharge this from time to time, but you can also buy solar-powered chargers as well.

Get an Emergency READY Profile

 SERVPRO of North Morris County is proud to offer Emergency READY Profiles (ERP) for free at ready.SERVPRO.com to help prepare you, your property, or your business for an emergency. By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your property or business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your property or business. Put help in the palm of your hand with the Ready Plan App. Get in touch with SERVPRO of North Morris County today for more information on developing an ERP for your property or business, and we will be there to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Build an Emergency Kit

2/4/2018 (Permalink)

Be prepared at your home or business with an Emergency Kit. Ready.gov suggests you have enough supplies to last for at least three days. Below are some suggested items to include in your kit: 

-3-day supply of nonperishable foods n Water (one+ gallon per person per day)

-First-aid kit

-Prescription medication

-Sleeping bag or blankets 

-Fire extinguisher

-Hygiene products

-Flashlights

-Extra batteries

-Cell phone charger

-Change of clothes

-Matches in waterproof container

-Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

-Whistle to signal for help

-Pet supplies

-Infant formula and diapers

-Important documents such as insurance policies, IDs, and bank records in a plastic container You can also keep a condensed emergency kit in your vehicle as well.

For a more extensive list, check out Ready.gov.

In a disaster, SERVPRO is "Ready for whatever happens."

1/30/2018 (Permalink)

When a storm or disaster strikes, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team is poised and “Ready for whatever happens.” With a network of more than 1,700 Franchises, the SERVPRO System strives to be faster to any size disaster. Strategically located throughout the United States, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team is trained and equipped to handle the largest storms and highest flood waters. Providing experience, manpower, equipment, and other resources, the Disaster Recovery Team assists SERVPRO of North Morris County. SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team has responded to hundreds of disaster events. In the aftermath of a disaster, there is only one objective, to help you make it “Like it never even happened.”

2017 Hurricane Harvey: Category 4 Hurricane Harvey hit Texas on August 26 with winds of 130 mph. The hurricane made a second landfall just hours later and lingered over Southeast Texas for about two days, dropping more than 40 inches of rain. On August 29, Harvey made a third landfall in Louisiana. Following the storm, an estimated 550 storm crews were deployed, representing more than 240 SERVPRO Franchises. Those numbers, in addition to area Franchises, placed more than 1,000 crews in storm-affected areas. Crews traveled from as far away as California, Washington, Wisconsin, and New York.

2016 Houston, TX, Flooding: In April, a nearly stationary mesoscale convective system developed over Houston, resulting in widespread rainfall rates of 2-4 inches per hour. This was a historic flooding event for Harris County, which saw a total of nearly 18 inches of accumulated rainfall. The Storm Team dispatched 81 crews to over 360 jobs, mitigating over $3 million in damages.

2015 Siberian Express: Record sub-zero temperatures caused major problems for a large portion of the country stretching from Florida to Maine. The Midwest also experienced record-breaking low temperatures, resulting in frozen pipes and ice dams causing major problems for residents. The Storm Team dispatched a total of 257 crews from 108 Franchises to assist local SERVPRO Franchises, completing nearly 2,000 jobs.

2014 Mid-Atlantic Flooding: Rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour caused major flash flooding stretching from Northeast Ohio all the way up to Portland, Maine. Eastern Michigan and Baltimore, Maryland, were also impacted, creating over 1,381 jobs for the Storm Team to produce. A total of 82 SERVPRO Franchises and 173 crews mitigated over $4.3 million in damages while assisting the local Franchises.

2014 Polar Vortex: Record low temperatures caused by a break in the North Pole’s polar vortex resulted in an unprecedented freezing event, spanning from east of the Rocky Mountains to as far south as Central Florida, affecting all or part of 39 states and 70 percent of the SERVPRO Franchise System.

Worries of WINTER WEATHER

1/11/2018 (Permalink)

Winter weather can bring about more issues than just slippery roads and a sidewalk to shovel. If you live where temperatures sink below freezing level, you are also at risk for frozen pipes and ice dams, which can create a major disaster at your home or property.

Frozen pipes are often those exposed to the cold weather, such as those outside your house, or in cold areas such as basements, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. A frozen pipe can burst at the point where the ice blockage inside the pipe is located, but typically the rupture is caused by the backflow pressure between the water source and the blockage. A burst pipe can cause considerable damage to your property if not addressed quickly. To prevent pipes from freezing, here are a few steps you can take, according to The American Red Cross:

- Be sure to completely drain water from swimming pool and sprinkler lines, as well as outside hoses.

-Open kitchen cabinets to let warm air near the plumbing. 

- When the weather is extremely cold, let water drip from faucets that may come from exposed pipes. 

- Keep your heat set to the same temperature both day and night.

Ice dams can be a little-known, but major problem during the snowy season. They form when heated air melts roof snow downward into water dammed behind still-frozen ice. When the trapped water cannot safely flow or run into the gutter system, it can backflow under the roof ’s shingles and into the structure’s interior areas, as well as causing gutters and shingles to move or fall. Icicles can be an initial sign of an ice dam, according to Travelers.com. To spot ice dams inside, “check for water stains or moisture in your attic or along the ceiling of exterior walls of your house. Water stains or moisture may be an indication that an ice dam has formed and water has penetrated the roof membrane.” Removing an ice dam as soon as it is found is vital to helping prevent damage to your property and can be done using heated cables, a roof shovel, or calcium chloride ice melter. If winter weather causes water damage to you or your insured’s property, SERVPRO of North Morris County is only a call away, 24/7, ready to restore to preloss condition. 

Are You Winter Weather Ready?

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Are you prepared for the coming cold weather? Cold weather can have a huge impact on your home or business if you are not ready for it. From heavy rain and freezing temperatures to damaging winds, sleet, or snow, all can cause serious and costly property damage. While you cannot control the weather, you can take steps to be prepared and help take the sting out of winter weather.

To help prevent costly damages due to weather, consider taking the followingsix precautions to protect your property before colder weather hits:

1.Check your business property for downed tree limbs and branches. Wind, heavy rain, ice, and snow can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries.

2.Roofs, water pipes, and gutters should all be inspected to ensure they are in proper order. Gutter downspouts should be directed away from your building. Clear gutters of debris that may have gathered during the fall. Leaves and other obstructions can cause a damming effect, which can lead to roof damage and interior water problems.

3.Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.

4.Inspect all handrails, stairwells, and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non-slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present.

5.Protect water pipes from freezing by simply allowing water to drip when temperatures dip below freezing. If pipes are under a cabinet, leave the cabinet doors open, allowing warm inside air to circulate around the pipes. If the building has outdoor faucets, consider shutting water off at the main valve in the basement or crawl space. Once the valve is off, open the outdoor faucet to ensure it drains, preventing any remaining water from freezing in the pipe.

6.Ask SERVPRO of North Morris County about completing an Emergency READY Profile (ERP) for your business. The ERP is a no-cost assessment to your facility and provides you with a plan to get back in business fast following a disaster.

Light The Night Safely

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Pretty lights, candles, and decorations are just a few of the items bringing charm and cheer to the holiday season—however, if they are not used carefully your holidays may go from festive to frightening.

The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips to help greatly reduce the fire risk in your home or business this holiday season:

1.Place Christmas trees, candles, and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, and heat vents.

2.Make sure that light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

3.Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving the property or going to bed.

4.Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.

The team at SERVPRO of North Morris County wishes you a safe and happy holiday season!

Stories From The Storm: Hurricane Harvey

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Hurricane Harvey was an extremely destructive Atlantic hurricane, which became the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States since Wilma in 2005. In a four-day period, many areas received more than 40 inches of rain as the system meandered over eastern Texas.

Harvey by the numbers:

-With peak accumulations of 51.88 inches, Harvey is the wettest tropical hurricane on record in the contiguous United States.

-Economic losses are preliminarily estimated at between $81 to $108 billion, with a large portion of the losses sustained by uninsured homeowners.

-Following the storm, an estimated 550 storm crews were deployed, representing more than 240 SERVPRO Franchises. Those numbers, in addition to area Franchises, placed more than 1,000 crews in storm-affected areas. Crews travelled from as far away as California, Washington, Wisconsin, and New York.

SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Teams® deployed to assist in the cleanup and recovery efforts, responding to losses across Southeast Texas including Houston, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Victoria, and Bryan/College Station.

The SERVPRO family not only responded to restoration needs, but also helped secure critical donations to help provide residents with access to neccesary items like diapers and toiletries.

The Behavior of Smoke

11/28/2017 (Permalink)

The damage to your property following a fire can often be complicated due to the unique behavior of smoke. There are two different types of smoke-wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire.

SERVPRO of North Morris County technicians are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup and restoration and know the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns. Knowing this information is vital to proper restoration. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of North Morris County will survey the loss to determine the extent of impact from fire, smoke, heat, and moisture on the building materials and contents. The soot will then be tested to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. Pretesting determines the proper cleaning method and allows SERVPRO to focus on saving your precious items.

SERVPRO of North Morris County know smoke can penetrate various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor. Their knowledge of building systems helps them investigate how far smoke damage may have spread. The following are additional facts you may not know about smoke.

> Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.

> Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.

< The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Wet Smoke (Plastic and Rubber) Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke (Paper and Wood) Fast-burning, high temperatures; heat rises, therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue (Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire) Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Fuel Oil Soot (Furnace Puff Backs) While “puff backs” can create havoc for homeowners, SERVPRO® technicians can, in most cases, restore the contents and structure quickly.

Other Types (Tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher residue) Special loss situations require special care.

SERVPRO of North Morris County technicians are trained to handle even the toughest losses. If your home or business suffers fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO at 973-983-5657 to help make it “Like it never even happened.” 

FIVE Dangers of Deep Frying Turkey

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

A deep-fried turkey is delicious, but is it worth it?

If you’ve seen any of the numerous videos of turkey fryer explosions and fires online, you may have asked yourself this question before. Running the risk of bodily injury or property damage is something to consider when menu planning this holiday season.

1. Turkey fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area.

2. An overfilled cooking pot will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in, and a partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter when put in the pot.

3. Even a small amount of cooking oil spilling on a hot burner can cause a large fire.

4. Without thermostat controls, deep fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire.

5. The sides of the cooking pot, lid, and pot handles can get dangerously hot.

Fire, Smoke & Soot

10/16/2017 (Permalink)

Mitigation requires quick action. The faster a SERVPRO of North Morris County professional arrives on-site to perform fire, smoke, and soot cleanup and restoration, the better the results— including lower claim costs.

Structural Cleaning - After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. Your experienced local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional will pretest to determine the extent of damage, then use the specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different types of surfaces found in your insured’s structure.

Contents Cleaning - All of the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies, and upholstery. SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can provide wet or dry cleaning services. Additionally, all the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to preloss condition. This includes electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, and much more. Finally, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can provide an inventory list of all “to be claimed” items for your insured.

Deodorization - SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals provide specialized services that rid your insured’s home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals do not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out the sources of the odor and remove them.

October is FIRE PREVENTION Month

10/9/2017 (Permalink)

October is Fire Prevention Month and an excellent time to examine the emergency preparedness plans for your home and business, including your fire escape plan.

Do you have a fire escape plan? Have you changed your smoke alarm batteries within the last year? Are you prepared? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets aside a designated week each October to focus on fire prevention.

The 2017 theme is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” According to the NFPA, once the fire alarm goes off “you could have less than two minutes to get out safely,” yet only 8 percent of people surveyed said getting out was the first thought after hearing a fire alarm. Creating, implementing, and practicing a fire escape plan for your home or business may be the difference between safety and tragedy.

Make a plan today. 

Keep Fall FIRE FREE

10/2/2017 (Permalink)

The fall season brings cooler temperatures, beautiful colors, and an abundance of outdoor activities. Plan ahead this season to help ensure it is safe and fire-free.

1. Fall decorations, like dried flowers and cornstalks, are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations away from open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.

2. Keep emergency exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes.

3. Teach children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop, and roll if their clothing catches fire.

4. Remember safety first when choosing a Halloween costume. Consider avoiding billowing fabric. If you are making your costume, choose material that won’t easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or a flame.

5. It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. Use extreme caution if using a real candle. Place lit pumpkins away from anything that can burn, and out of the way of doorsteps, walkways, and yards.

Facts and information provided by National Fire Protection Association, nfpa.org

Is Your BUSINESS Prepared?

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

September is National Preparedness Month and is the perfect opportunity to share the benefits of having a readiness plan in place with your customers, business, and family.

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) will help ensure you and your business are “Ready for whatever happens.” In the event of an emergency, the ERP can help minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action in place for your facility.

The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about your business, including emergency contact information, shut-off valve locations, and priority areas. The ERP is also accessible online using your computer or tablet; download SERVPRO’s free Ready Plan app to access this information at any time using your smartphone or tablet.

The ERP establishes  SERVPRO of North Morris County as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. Knowing what to do and who to call in advance is key to quick response and timely mitigation. Having a plan in place may help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive and get you back in the building following a disaster.

Preparation is the key to making it through any size disaster, whether it is a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time to plan for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens.

No one ever plans on a disaster, but now, you can plan for it. The ERP is a no-cost assessment; all it requires is a little time, making it a great value that could save a lot of time in the future. Call your local SERVPRO of North Morris County to establish your Emergency READY Profile®.

MANAGING MOLD

9/16/2017 (Permalink)

IN AS LITTLE AS 48 HOURS, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business when there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO of North Morris County has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.

Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process:

1. Call SERVPRO of North Morris County (973-983-5657). The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call speak to our representative. They will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment - Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view.
3. Mold Containment Various - containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold, like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.
4. Air Filtration - Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO® technicians utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials - The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy mold growth.
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings - SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.
7. Restoration Depending - on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

SERVPRO of North Morris County understands mold and mold growth and have the training and equipment to remediate mold in your home or business.

The Science of Drying

9/11/2017 (Permalink)

Did you know there is actually a science behind the process of drying? Having the knowledge of psychrometrics is essential to restoring a water-damaged structure to its preloss condition. While your initial reaction may be to grab a few towels to mop up the mess and place a fan or two around the damaged area, SERVPRO of North Morris County is trained in the science of drying and follow strict industry approved standards to help lower the chances of any secondary damages.

If your home or business suffers a water damage, SERVPRO of North Morris County will:

1. Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet to help prevent secondary damage from happening.
2. Measure how much moisture is in wet materials and monitor whether the materials are drying properly.
3. Speed up Mother Nature by using professional drying equipment. What exactly does it mean to help “speed up Mother Nature”? A wet building can often dry naturally because the environment always seeks equilibrium. When materials are wet, moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the material–but only if the air is, indeed, drier. The only problem is, nature often takes too long and secondary damages may occur while the building is drying out.

SERVPRO of North Morris County has the tools and equipment to help Mother Nature along, including equipment to help dry hardwood floors, tough-to-reach spaces inside walls, and much more. We use state-of-the-art monitoring equipment and a proven scientific process to help speed the drying of your home or business.

The bottom line? SERVPRO of North Morris County has the training and equipment to help make water damage “Like it never even happened.”

Carbon Monoxide: A Silent Killer

9/1/2017 (Permalink)

You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels, it can kill a person in minutes. Often called the Silent Killer, carbon monoxide, or CO, is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas, created when fuels, like gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas and propane burn incompletely. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning. It is estimated another 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to CO poisoning.

All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning, with some groups— including unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems— being more susceptible to the effects of carbon monoxide. An excess of CO, leading to CO poisoning, can result from faulty furnaces or other heating appliances, portable generators, water heaters, clothes dryers, or idling cars left running in garages. Taking some basic, precautionary steps can help eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Protect yourself by reviewing the following tips, provided by the United States Fire Administration.

1. Have fuel-burning appliances, like oil and gas furnaces, gas or kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves inspected by a trained professional every year.
2. Open the damper for proper ventilation before using a fireplace. Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home.
3. Make sure all fuel-burning vented equipment is vented to the outside to avoid CO poisoning. Keep the venting for exhaust clear and unblocked.
4. If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Never run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not blocked with snow, ice, or other materials.
5. Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow and other debris.
6. Only use barbecue grills outside, away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings. Some grills can produce CO gas. Never use grills inside the home or the garage, even if the doors are open.
7. Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings to prevent exhaust fumes from entering the home

SERVPRO of North Morris County wishes you good health and safety

BE PREPARED: Tsunamis

8/28/2017 (Permalink)

Did you know tsunamis can hit ANY U.S. coast?

While they are more likely to hit states on the Pacific coastline or in the Caribbean, it is good to know what to do if a tsunami does strike where you live, or even where you may vacation.

Ready.gov says “tsunamis, also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”), are a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite.” Areas within a mile of the coast and less than 25 feet above sea level have a greater risk of being hit.

As with any emergency, be sure you have a plan. Know the evacuation plan and move inland or to higher ground and avoid the beach. “The first wave may not be the last or the largest,” according to the National Weather Service.

After a tsunami, do not return to the affected area until officials deem it safe. While drowning is the most common hazard, there are many aftereffects such as flooding and contaminated drinking water. For more information on preparing for a tsunami, visit ready. gov/tsunamis.

SERVPRO of North Morris County wants you to stay safe

Don't Forget About Summer Safety

8/22/2017 (Permalink)

Summer is a time to enjoy the great outdoors, but it is also important to keep safety in mind.  As this summer winds down, people can start to relax some important safety habits.

Consider the following tips, provided by the National Fire Protection Association, to keep you and your family safe all summer long. n When using a charcoal grill, only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills; do not add fluid after coals have been lit.

• When using a gas grill, ensure the hose connection is tight; check hoses for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
• When camping, always use a flame-retardant tent and set up camp far away from the campfire.
• Always build a campfire downwind from the tent area. Clear vegetation and dig a pit before building your fire. Extinguish the fire before going to sleep or leaving the campsite.
• Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and only use dry kindling to freshen a campfire.

SERVPRO of North Morris County wishes you a safe and happy summer!

SERVPRO Expands PGA Sponsorship with PGA Fantasy Golf

4/6/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Morris County says the season’s first major golf tournament is a great time to “master” Fantasy Golf skills

There is an old adage: “It never rains on a golf course.” As the official cleanup and restoration company of the PGA TOUR, SERVPRO^® knows this isn’t true, but rain or shine, fans follow their favorite players’ performance at PGA golf tournaments throughout the season. Recognizing the ever-growing popularity of the game, SERVPRO has expanded its relationship with the PGA TOUR by becoming the presenting sponsor of the PGA Fantasy Golf games, available at pgatour.com/fantasy. 

 We know people don’t associate SERVPRO with the wide-open spaces and fair weather feeling of a golf course. After all, SERVPRO is the company you turn to when the unexpected, even the unthinkable, happens to your home or business,

SERVPRO of North Morris County is a local business, there to support the community in good times and bad. Teaming up with the PGA TOUR as the sponsor of their Fantasy Golf Suite helps us build connections within our local community. We want local home and business owners to know that we are there for them ready to respond at a moment’s notice if things go wrong.

 The new “One & Done” games were launched on January 3, 2017*, but the game structure allows players to join in on the fun at any point during the current season. Each week, game players select one player to earn points for them in that week’s tournament. The PGA Tour Fantasy game is based on accumulated FedEx Cup points and the PGA Tour Champions game is based on accumulated Charles Schwab Cup points. A player may select a given golfer for a tournament in each of the One & Done games only once in each season. Since some tournaments earn a pro golfer more points than others, game strategy is based on selecting the right golfers for the right tournaments. 

 With the first major tournament of the season—The Masters—just around the corner, now is a great time to start your One & Done game for this year’s tour. If you ‘master’ the trick of choosing the right golfers in the right tournaments, you could jump to the top of your Fantasy league. The top finisher in the PGA TOUR game will win a new set of golf clubs, while the top prize for the PGA TOUR Champions game is a trip for two to the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Phoenix Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona, November 6-12.

SERVPRO of North Morris County specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO of North Morris County, please contact Joseph Brizek at (973) 983-5657 or SERVPRO9173@embarqmail.com.

 *http://www.pgatour.com/company/2017/01/03/pga-tour-fantasy-one-and-done-SERVPRO-debuts.html

Ice Dam Prevention Tips

2/16/2017 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of North Morris County for more information at: 973-983-5657

Icicles can signal the formation of ice dams on your roof, which can lead to water damage and even mold growth within your home. Use these tips to prevent them.

ICE DAM PREVENTION TIPS

1. Add insulation in your attic - measure width and length of space to be insulated. Lay down boards or plywood sheeting to help you be able to walk safely in the attic space. Do not cover soffit vents with insulation. Work around recessed lighting.

2. Remove attic heat sources - you don;t want to have a potential fire hazard

3. Insulate attic access doors - prevents drafts and assists with heating efficiency

4. Check the exhausts - proper ventilation also prevents mold

5. Check flashing around the chimney

SERVPRO of North Morris County

Smoke Alarms: Save Lives

2/14/2017 (Permalink)

SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES when properly installed and maintained, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

In HOMES, smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and on every level, including the basement. In office and COMMERCIAL environments, check your state requirements or contact your local Fire Marshall to help ensure all codes are met.

SOME TIPS:

• Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button.


• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years.


• Other alarms need batteries replaced every year, and the unit replaced every ten years.


• If the alarm chirps signaling low battery, take the proper steps to replace the unit or the batteries immediately.


• Never disable or remove the battery from an alarm. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries (NFPA).

In larger commercial facilities, hard wired or wireless smoke alarms offer benefits such as not needing to be tested as often and activating throughout the entire building if smoke is detected in just one area (NFPA).

If you need help installing, testing or changing batteries in your smoke alarms, contact your local fire department, an electrician or the American Red Cross.

Be sure your home or workplace has a FIRE EMERGENCY PLAN in place and conduct regular fire drills. For more information on Emergency Preparedness, contact SERVPRO of North Morris County

Is Your Property WINTER READY?

12/7/2016 (Permalink)

Cold weather can have a huge impact on your home or business if you are not properly prepared. Whether it is heavy rain, freezing temperatures, damaging winds, sleet or snow, all can cause serious and costly property damage. While you cannot control the weather, you can take steps to be prepared and help take the sting out of winter weather.

To help prevent costly damages due to weather, consider taking the FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS to protect your property before colder weather hits.

1. CHECK YOUR PROPERTY for downed tree limbs and branches. Weather, such as wind, heavy rain, ice and snow, can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries.
2. ROOFS, WATER PIPES & GUTTERS should all be inspected to ensure they are in proper order. Gutter downspouts should be directed away from your building. Clear gutters of debris that may have gathered during the fall. Leaves and other obstructions can lead to a damming effect, that can lead to roof damage and interior water problems.
3. Inspect property, especially WALKWAYS & DRIVEWAYS, for PROPER DRAINAGE to alleviate flood hazard potential.
4. INSPECT ALL handrails, stairwells and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non-slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present.
5. PROTECT WATER PIPES FROM FREEZING by simply allowing water to drip when temperatures dip below freezing. If pipes are under a cabinet, leave the cabinet doors open allowing warm inside air to circulate around the pipes. If the building has  outdoor faucets, consider shutting water off at the main valve in the basement or crawl space. Once the valve is off, open the outdoor faucet to ensure it drains,   preventing any remaining water from    freezing in the pipe.

When winter weather strikes, call your SERVPRO of North Morris County to strike back.

Have a SAFE Thanksgiving

11/22/2016 (Permalink)

Each November, families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving by preparing a delicious feast, but if you don’t practice safe cooking habits, your holiday could become hazardous very quickly. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. It’s important to be alert to prevent cooking fires.

Here are just a few things to remember:

1. Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
2. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.
3. If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a  timer to remind you that you are cooking.
4. Keep anything that can catch fire—oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains—away from the stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire, consider the following safety protocols to help keep you and your family safe.

1. JUST GET OUT! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
2. CALL 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
3. For an oven fire TURN OFF THE HEAT and keep the door closed.
4. If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and YOU HAVE A CLEAR WAY OUT.
5. KEEP A LID NEARBY when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it  is completely cooled.

SERVPRO of North Morris County wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.

Understanding Smoke's Behavior

11/15/2016 (Permalink)

The damage to your property following a fire can often be complicated due to the unique behavior of smoke. There are TWO different types of smoke—WET and DRY. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. SERVPRO of North Morris County professionals are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup and restoration and know the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns. Knowing this information is vital to proper restoration.

Before restoration begins, we will survey the loss to determine the extent of impact from fire, smoke, heat, and moisture on the building materials and contents. The soot will then be tested to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. Pretesting determines the proper cleaning method and allows us to focus on saving your precious items.

SERVPRO of North Morris County knows smoke can penetrate various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor. Their knowledge of building systems helps them investigate how far smoke damage may have spread. The following are additional facts you may not know about smoke.

1. Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
2. Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
3. The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
4. Wet Smoke (Plastic and Rubber) Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
5. Dry Smoke (Paper and Wood) Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
6. Protein Fire Residue (Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire) Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
7. Fuel Oil Soot (Furnace Puff Backs) While “puff backs” can create havoc for homeowners, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can, in most cases, restore the contents and structure quickly.
8. Other Types (Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue) Special loss situations require special care.

SERVPRO of North Morris County is trained to handle even the toughest losses. If your home or business suffers fire or smoke damage, contact us at 973-983-5657 so we can help make it “Like it never even happened.”

The Water Damage Restoration Process

11/14/2016 (Permalink)

The Water Damage Restoration Process

When your home or commercial property has water damage from flooding or leaks, we have the expertise and equipment to properly restore your property. Our experience and scientific approach to water removal and water cleanup enable us to properly dry and restore your property.

Water or Flood Damage?
Call Today – (973) 983-5657

Every water damage event is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. You can click on any of the steps below to learn more about that process.

Step 1 - Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will guide you through the crisis and may ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources.

Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

We determine the scope of your water damage at this stage. We inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.

Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We use powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, which helps prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.

Step 4 - Drying and Dehumidification

We use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our Professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.

Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean all of the restorable items and structures damaged by the water. We are adept at cleaning contents using a number of techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to remove odors and deodorize your property.

Step 6 - Restoration

Restoration is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

A Great Holiday Gift Idea

11/7/2016 (Permalink)

The holidays are approaching and many families are finalizing plans for elaborate meals, get-togethers with friends, and decorating with festive lights. Amidst all this planning, SERVPRO of North Morris County  reminds homeowners that they may be overlooking the most important plan they can make—a fire safety plan.

Each year, statistics show the incidence of home cooking and candle fires peaks during the holiday season. This tends to focus homeowners on fire prevention precautions—and that’s a good thing. But to truly protect your family from the dangers of a home fire, at the holidays and throughout the year, you need to start with a fire safety plan.

Developing a fire safety plan and practicing it regularly with your family is the most important step you can take to help prevent a house fire from turning into a devastating tragedy. SERVPRO is a national leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services, and our disaster response professionals know from experience how devastating a home fire can be.

They also know that when fire causes a loss of life, there is no “remediation” possible. This is why SERVPRO has teamed up with the American Red Cross by supporting the ARC Disaster Responder program, and in particular the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign .

As a Disaster Responder, SERVPRO pledges dollars and support in advance to help the ARC develop and distribute educational materials and respond immediately when they are needed. encourages all -area homeowners to follow these fire safety guidelines, developed by the ARC through their Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, to help minimize injury or loss of life due to a residential fire.

1. Install the right number of smoke alarms . Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year.

2. Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.

3. Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.

4. Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.

5. Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire” to alert everyone they must get out.

6. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.

7. Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

Fire prevention and fire safety planning are two very different things. Fire prevention planning helps control or eliminate the causes of a fire. Fire safety planning helps prevent injury and loss of life when a fire does break out. To protect your family and your property, you need both.

For more fire prevention and fire safety tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, please visit www.SERVPRO.com. For more information on SERVPRO of North Morris County, please contact us at 973-983-5657 or e-mail us at SERVPRO9173@embarqmail.com

Can You Do It In Under TWO MINUTES?

10/14/2016 (Permalink)

Every second counts during a fire. Fire experts agree, people have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late to get out. In a matter of moments, a small flame can become a major fi re, making it critical to be prepared and have an escape plan in place. A survey conducted by the American Red Cross shows only 26 percent of families have developed and practiced a home fi re escape plan.

Once a plan is developed, it is critical everyone in the home understands the plan; the best way to do this is by practicing the escape plan at least twice a year. Increase your chance of surviving a fire by ensuring you have working smoke detectors in place, building an escape plan, and then practicing the escape plan.

The following are a few suggestions to help you develop an emergency escape plan.

• Draw a map of each level of your home and show all doors and windows.
• Find two ways to get out of each room.
• Make sure all doors and windows that lead outside open easily.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second and third floors. Only purchase collapsible escape ladders evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory. Store them near the window where they will be used.
• Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they’ve escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them.
• Plan for everyone in your home with special considerations for elderly or disabled individuals.
• Practice your fire escape plan during the day and at nighttime.

Please feel free to call us with any questions at:973-983-5657

Sewage & Harmful Waste - The DO's & DON'Ts

5/19/2016 (Permalink)

DO

1.  Stay out of affected areas

2. Call emergency service personnel if the situation

is life-threatening.

3.  Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.

4.  Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated

by sewage.

5.  Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with

contaminated items.

DON’T

1.  Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily

on damaged or wet areas.

2.  Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of

spreading contaminated air.

3.  Use household fans to dry the structure and

spread contaminants.

4.  Attempt cleanup of any kind.

5.  Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids

Water Damage - The DO's & DON'Ts

5/19/2016 (Permalink)

1. DO

   1.    Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a

   qualified party to stop the water source.

   2.    Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building,

   when access to the power distribution panel is safe

   from electrical shock.

   3.    Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping

   and blotting.

   4.    Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing

   lamps and tabletop items.

   5.    Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for

   even drying.

   6.    Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture

   legs and wet carpeting.

   7.    Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects,

   computers, documents and other materials that are

   valuable or sensitive to moisture.

   8.    Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off

   damp floors.

   9.    Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact

   with wet carpeting or floors.

   10.Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at

   room temperature.

   DON’T

   1.    Enter rooms with standing water where electrical

   shock hazards may exist.

   2.    Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches,

   circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed

   to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.

   3.    Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored

   items on wet carpets or floors to cause staining.

   4.    Leave Oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet

   wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.

   5.    Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water,

   possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the

   vacuum cleaner.

   6.    Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet

   carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.

   7.    Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms

   where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

   8.    Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated

   by sewage.

   9.    Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with

   contaminated items.

   10.Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily

   on damaged or wet areas.

   11.Turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of

   spreading contaminated air.

   12.Use household fans to dry the structure and

   spread contaminants

Fire Damage - The DO's and DON'T's

5/4/2016 (Permalink)

After a fire has occurred, it is not only important to know what to DO until help arrives, but may be even more important to know what you DON'T do. Here are a few tips from SERVPRO of NORTH Morris County:

DO

Ø  Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.

Ø  Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.

Ø  Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.

Ø  If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.

Ø  Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.

Ø  If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.

Ø  Wash both sides of leaves on house plants.

Ø  Change HVAC filter, but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.

Ø  Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

DON’T

Ø  Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting your SERVPRO® Franchise Professional.

Ø  Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting your SERVPRO® Franchise Professional.

Ø  Attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV sets, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.

Ø  Consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water. (They may be contaminated.)

Ø  Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.

Ø  Send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.

IICRC Certified Firm

5/3/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of NORTH Morris County is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of NORTH Morris County

SERVPRO of NORTH Morris County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your home or business

Smoke & Soot Clean Up

4/28/2016 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of North Morris County will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 973-983-5657

10 Things You Should Know About MOLD – Part 2 of 2

4/20/2016 (Permalink)

When we last looked at MOLD, we reviewed part 1 0f 2 points 1-5. They included potential health effects, controlling it, when it may be a problem, prevention and its relationship to humidity. Today, we'll go onto to parts 6-10.

6. 48 HOURS - After a wtaer intrusion has occurred, if it goes unaddressed, it is possible that mold can begin to form within 48-72 hours. All it needs is a "food source" (wood, drywall, insulation paper, etc). Unmitigated, and you could end up with a big problem.

7. Mold & Surfaces - There are two types of surfaces; Hard and Porous. A hard surface can be cleaned and dried. A porous surface, such as drywall, may very well need to be removed.

8. Condensation - Again, condensation IS moisture. Whenever possible, address this issue ASAP. If you see it forming on windows, exterior walls, a roof or really any surface, eliminating it could save you a lot of headaches later.

9. A Word About Carpeting - In an area where there is a moisture issue (i.e. - cracking concrete floors, below ground basements with a high water table), it is best to avoid carpet and pad. Subfloors and vapor barriers are a good idea.

10. Mold Is EVERYWHERE - But there are acceptable levels and unacceptable. But when there's a water intrusion, it is the "food Sources" that do the most damage.

Good luck and STAY DRY!

CE Class - MOLD

3/15/2016 (Permalink)

Continuing Education Course

“Understanding Mold for Property Insurers”

Great for Property Managers & Real Estate Professionals, Too

Sponsored by:SERVPRO^® of North Morris County

           *** Date:April 12, 2016  ***Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

    Location:  Hampton Inn    350 Morris Ave.   Denville, NJ 07834

New Jersey Approval # 0507908   Credit Hours: 3

Approved for the following licenses: Property-Casualty

Course fee: $60.00 (Fee waived by SERVPRO franchise)

Complimentary Continental Breakfast (8:30 AM – 9:00 AM)

What You Will Learn:

Mold is still a “hot topic”, especially after Super Storm Sandy and the ‘Vortex’ freeze that directly affects the insurance community and involves third-party liability issues for property, owners, builders, & sellers; related service industries, and institutions.  Topics to be discussed at the seminar include:

To Register CALL – 973-983-5657

10 Things You Should Know About MOLD - Part 1 of 2

3/5/2016 (Permalink)

Mold is a very hot topic these days, especially in the real estate community. If you are buying or selling a house, or even if you are not moving, the last thing you want to hear is the word MOLD. However, when is it a concern? Yes, there are times when it's serious, but some companies will lead you to believe it's the end of the world. 

Understand that mold IS everywhere. As a matter of fact, if you have ever taken penicillin or eaten bleu cheese dressing on your salad, you have consumed a form of mold. The point is, there are many different types of mold. There are harmless, allergens and toxic.

Today, we will look at the first five things you should know about mold.

1.    Potential Health Effects - People who have respiratory issues such as asthma, or young children or the elderly, these are people who may suffer health effects from mold.

2.    You Cannot Eliminate Mold – There are acceptable levels of mold. Unless you are living in a “clean room” at some laboratory, you are living with mold every day. Whether it’s your living room, kitchen or bedroom, there is a certain level of mold in those rooms. The amount, however, is typically so small that you are have no ill affects. The recipe for mold is moisture + food source (wood, Insulation paper, drywall, etc) + a lack of ventilation. If you eliminate any one of these, you cannot grow mold. This is why it is so important to quickly address a water intrusion.

3.    When Is Mold A Problem? – If you don’t clean your shower stall often enough, you may end up with some surface mold. This is relatively minor and you can clean it with an over-the-counter product. However, say you go on vacation and a pipe bursts and your finished basement is flooded. Due to our recipe (moisture+food source+lack of ventilation) you have significant mold growth, this is a major issue and you need to bring in a professional to address it.

4.    Prevention Is The Best Medicine – As stated before, anytime you can eliminate any of the three parts to the mold recipe, you can prevent mold. Some additional thoughts:

A.    Leave your HVAC running when you leave on extended trips.

B.    Check for roof leaks

C.    Check for leaks around doors & windows

D.    Check for proper gutter drainage

E.    Check vacant buildings regularly

F.     Inspect hot water heaters, air conditioners, water softeners, etc

G.    Investigate moldy odors

5.    Control Humidity – Mold can actually grow just from elevated relative humidity, An RH of 60% or higher for an extended period of time can start old growth on structural surfaces. Make sure any moisture generating appliances (bathroom exhaust fans, dryers) should be vented to the outside.

NEXT TIME – The Ten Things You Should Know About MOLD – parts 6-10

That Dam Ice

1/21/2016 (Permalink)

Typical Ice Dam

As the next winter storm bares down on the northeast, the chances of several inches (or feet) of snow piling up on your roof are pretty good. What you don't want is that snow closest to your gutter creating a waterfall on the INSIDE of your house.

It is not unusual for the snow, especially when your gutter runs along an overhang, to melt and re-freeze into ice, and then burrow its way underneath the shingles. This is your classic case of ice damming and if you don't do something to prevent it, you could end up with water streaming down your interior drywall and possibly within the wall cavity itself. Worse yet, if you do not react quickly enough, your hard wood floors could be ruined as well.

The solution? Be proactive. 

First - Purchase a "roof rake". For a $50 or $60 investment at your local hardware store, you could save thousands of dollars in water damage. Once the snow has stopped falling, use the roof rake to pull as much snow off the roof as possible. It is advisable to reach at least 5 or 6 feet from the gutter.

Second - Use the edge of rake to "skim" along the inside of the gutter to clear out as much snow as possible.

Third - Utilize "gutter heaters". Obviously, this step is best done in the spring, summer or fall. Typically, a heavy duty wire is attached in a zig-zag pattern along the edge of the roof reaching about 3-4 feet from the gutter. The same wire runs inside the gutter. When it is plugged in, after you have cleared as much snow as you can, the gutter heater will melt the residual snow and prevent ice (and an ice dam) from forming.

Although nothing is fail safe, these three steps will give you a much better chance and you can hopefully avoid dealing with that ice dam.

Good luck!

A Note To Do-It-Yourselfers

12/10/2015 (Permalink)

So your second floor bathroom tub overflows and the water goes from the bathroom to the hallway and, as an added bonus seeps into the unfinished basement below. You quickly mop up what you can and break out a few fans. You think to yourself, "that should take care of it". A day later, you feel the floor with your hand and turn off the fans. Everything is dry... Or is it?

Did you kow that "dry" wood has 10% moisture content or less? Did you know your hand has a moisture content well above 10%. Truth is, without the proper equipment, you cannot really tell when wood or drywall has actually dried completely. Not only that, but that clean bathroom water has picked up contaminants as it passed through the flooring and through the ceiling below in that unfinished basement.

The proper approach includes moisture measurements, the application of an antimicrobial and the type of drying equipment that can sufficiently dry out structural materials. 

To avoid possible complications down the road, your best bet is to hire a professional like SERVPRO of North Morris County.

Keep The Water Moving

12/7/2015 (Permalink)

It's getting to be that time of year. The temperatures begin to plummet and the winds begin to pick up. When we start to see those sub freezing temperatures, that is when you start to see those icicles forming. If the water dripping from your roof becomes an icicle, what do you think the water in your exposed pipes is doing?

A few thoughts which could save homeowners a lot of money this winter:

1. WRAP THOSE PIPES - If you have exposed pipes, say, in your garage, wrap them now with insulation to keep them as warm as possible. This may prevent frozen pipes as the temperature drops.

2. DRIP THE FAUCET - Many times the exposed pipes closest to indoor bathroom faucets will freeze leaving you with nothing coming out of the faucet. When you know it's going to be a sub-freezing night, open the faucet just enough to let the water drip. As long as the water is moving, your pipes should not freeze.

3. EMPTY THE PIPELINE - The closer the pipe to an outside faucet, the more likely it will freeze. Turn the water off leading to those faucets then turn them on and let them drain out.

SERVPRO of North Morris County believes that doing these few things may save you a ton of aggravation and expense down the line.